GrassMonkey
Member
Found some bugs in my grow last night after the humidity got a little high.
So I started freaking. Then when I calmed down figured that I better find out what they are.
Turns out they were actually good! They are the spider mites predator known as Phytoseiulus Persimilis. And after some research found out people pay money for these things. I got mine free courtesy of FFOF soil...thanks FF!
Anyways, these bugs were so small and moved so fast I had to figure out how to get them under my magnifier and hold still. After several unsuccessful attempts using tweezers, fingers, and other devices, I came up with the idea of using scotch tape.
I took 2 pieces about 3 inches long each. I put the first one sticky side down on a plastic surface of a table I have (so I could pull it up later). The other piece was nearby for quick retrieval. Next, I stuck my finger into the soil and let them crawl on it. I put my finger on the tape which they finally walked on. Then very quickly placed the other piece over the top very gently as not to smash the bugs. It created little air bubbles around them.
Under the magnifier they went, they were perfectly preserved specimens. Then I went onto google images for positive ID.
This was so easy to do. I just wanted to share this method if it has not already been tried for easy IDing of very small bugs.
So I started freaking. Then when I calmed down figured that I better find out what they are.
Turns out they were actually good! They are the spider mites predator known as Phytoseiulus Persimilis. And after some research found out people pay money for these things. I got mine free courtesy of FFOF soil...thanks FF!
Anyways, these bugs were so small and moved so fast I had to figure out how to get them under my magnifier and hold still. After several unsuccessful attempts using tweezers, fingers, and other devices, I came up with the idea of using scotch tape.
I took 2 pieces about 3 inches long each. I put the first one sticky side down on a plastic surface of a table I have (so I could pull it up later). The other piece was nearby for quick retrieval. Next, I stuck my finger into the soil and let them crawl on it. I put my finger on the tape which they finally walked on. Then very quickly placed the other piece over the top very gently as not to smash the bugs. It created little air bubbles around them.
Under the magnifier they went, they were perfectly preserved specimens. Then I went onto google images for positive ID.
This was so easy to do. I just wanted to share this method if it has not already been tried for easy IDing of very small bugs.
