FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Hi,

I just bought a Drosera Regia and noticed tiny bugs crawling in its soil. I don't know what they are and am afraid that they might harm the plant or spread to other nearby pots. Some grew out of the soil and are now stuck in the water of the tray. Some of those seem to hop around a little when the water is shaken (I do not think these are springtails as they are not white and most do not jump at all when disturbed by water or prodding. The few that did hop were adults, but they did not jump as high as springtails do) and they may have wings. I've recently noticed a few little black gnats in the plant area and wonder whether these bugs may have matured into gnats? I've also seen very tiny but slightly long white worms in this plant's water tray-- are they relevant? Can you identify any of these insects? What should I do?

Looks like springtails to me. Nothing to worry about, they sometimes make tasty little snacks for your plants

Looks like springtail to me, but I can't say for sure. Try touching it and it should jump if it is a springtail.

Those seem to jump around a little when the water is shaken, and they may have wings.

Sounds like springtails. They eat peat and dead plant material and fungus in the soil, and get eaten by carnivorous plants.

I've recently noticed a few little black gnats in the plant area and wonder whether these bugs may have matured into gnats?

No, those are probably fungus gnats. Same thing, they mostly just eat dead peat and fungus. But they come from maggots, not springtails.

I've also seen very tiny but slightly long white worms in this plant's water tray-- are they relevant?

Those are probably what's turning into the fungus gnats.

Welcome to peat ecology. It's like a whole self-contained mini bog universe in your pot. If it creeps you out, don't think about it. If it doesn't creep you out, buy a good magnifying glass.

Looks like springtails. Nice to have those around being they spread, and currently my VFTS seedlings, bladderworts, and sundew seedlings are snacking on them

Haha, that magnifying statement

Well, I guess everyone has already answered your question. But those are definitely springtails. I have them all over in one of my tanks and I love them in there - doesn't get a lot of airflow and nothing has gotten rot (which I attribute to them), and my plants love the easy snacks. I also have them in the water surrounding my bladderworts, they don't jump much in water, but just swim around.

Hope that settles your fears.