Phil Green Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Not often I need advise, but these little buggers are new to me. I don't recall seeing them in previous years, but I found them a few weeks ago - first on a newly aquired plant then on several others. They seem to be only around the pitcher mouth, on the drier lips, I'm guessing they are feeding on the nectar secretions although there's no sign on the really wet lips. I suppose they are spread by the flies. So, anyone know what they are and if they cause any damage and if so how to get rid of them. I've tried both 'BUG CLEAR' (bifenthrin) and 'BUG KILLER (imidacloprid) but neither seem to have any affect. Sorry the pic isn't better, they are SOOOOO tiny it's the best I could get. Thanks for any advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 I see them sometimes. They just feed on the nectar and don't do any harm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ada Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Hi Phil, I think they come in on bumble bees,they don't do any harm. ada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted July 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Cheers Alexis & Ada, that's good to know. I was initially a little concerned as the new plant I first saw them on had distorted pitchers. So, now the only remaining question is, anyone know what they are ?? I'd love to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyoliver Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Hi Phil, Cannot add anymore expect to say once again that they don't harm the pant. I was worried the first time I saw them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 I had these identified by the Natural History museum a few years ago. Will dig out the details, posted on CPUK somewhere. Basically they are harmless soil dwelling mites that climb up vegetation to hitch a ride with insects... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsivertsen Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 This is actually rather interesting because these mites are attracted to areas with sweet nectar waiting for hummingbirds or some other nectar feeding creature to hitch a ride to some other place. There was a documentary I saw recently that showed a hummingbird making a stop at some flower, and the mites ran up and down its beak like busy commuters boarding and exiting a crowded train station during rush hour! Here, on a Sarracenia, they'll wait, and wait, but chances are they're not going to catch that ride. - Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laura Posted July 4, 2009 Report Share Posted July 4, 2009 This is weird, but they look like the little mites I sometimes get in flightless fruitfly batches. I don't know what they are, but I trash the fruitfly cultures as soon as I see them and start fresh. Never saw them on any of my plants. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimfoxy Posted July 4, 2009 Report Share Posted July 4, 2009 (edited) They look like the same things I investigated a year or so ago - had the same things. I concluded that they were phoretic mites that hitch rides on insects, harmless to the plant. I was confused at the time because the plant I had them on was suffering from a freak incident of chlorine exposure (had been growing near paddling pool) that I, at the time, did not know about so I thought the damage was due to these mites. It was not! Edited July 4, 2009 by jimfoxy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted July 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2009 (edited) Stephen - I'd be interested to see that if you do find it. I think being a naturalist I always like to know what things are. There was a documentary I saw recently that showed a hummingbird making a stop at some flower, and the mites ran up and down its beak like busy commuters boarding and exiting a crowded train station during rush hour! Here, on a Sarracenia, they'll wait, and wait, but chances are they're not going to catch that ride. - Rich Can't remember if I've seen that or not, but think I have seen similar things. If they are waiting for a hummingbird, then they do have a long wait although they may find a passing hummingbird Hawkmoth. But plenty of flies to hitch a ride with. I was confused at the time because the plant I had them on was suffering from a freak incident of chlorine exposure (had been growing near paddling pool) that I, at the time, did not know about so I thought the damage was due to these mites. It was not! I think that is a trap we all fall in from time to time, see some damage, see some insect/fungus or whatever and give it the blame. Edited July 4, 2009 by Phil Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted July 4, 2009 Report Share Posted July 4, 2009 see this previous thread http://www.cpukforum.com/forum/index.php?s...c=15718&hl= Phil this is the reply I got off the NH museum, they could only identify to family level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted July 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2009 Cheers Stephen. I don't remember that previous thread (even if it was 3 years ago), must be getting old and memory going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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