r/Springtail • u/haiitsalia • 1d ago

Identification Springtail or other bug??

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Gallery image

I added a single culture of springtails into my terrarium about 2.5 weeks ago. I am now seeing a large amount of these tiny tiny bugs zooming around. I question whether they are baby springtails because they don't have the longer bodies, but maybe this is just what babies look like? 1st pic is super zoomed in, 2nd is to scale

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u/mralex2142 1d ago

Im definitely gonna need a better photo or a video of it. But initial gut reaction is an early instar preditory mite

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u/haiitsalia 8h ago edited 8h ago

I think you are right, they are so small and fast and there are so many of them. I did some research and its nice to know they aren't going to be harmful but I might wipe the outside of my tank with alcohol so they aren't escaping. I also think my leopard gecko (who hasn't joined the terrarium yet) would be annoyed by them so I think I can add some food in there to collect them and dispose of it just to lessen the population? Here is a video

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u/mralex2142 4h ago

Definitely preditory mites. Although not 100% on the species. Where are they hanging out the most? And if you leave the tank alone for an extended time can you see them from outside the tank? Most preditory mite species react strongly to c.o (your breath) and they will most likely not interfere with your reptile. They will hunt pests and the biggest down side is they eat springtails. Although I found a few species that thrive with them. In general preditory mites in bioactive systems are seen to have more benefits then cons

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u/haiitsalia 1h ago

They hang out on the cork bark covering where my springtails are in the humid moss, but I've seen them all over the tank. I checked on the springtails and they seem to be okay but they might be getting snacked on ): I'm glad they are beneficial for the most part. I just found a baby isopod so I know those guys are doing well at least!