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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
 Posted - 28/07/2011 : 22:42:32
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I was about to strip down and clean the viv and happened to spot something moving on a bit of white tissue. Under an eyeglass it looked like a micro-sized ant. It is tiny, approx 0.3 mm long, 6 legged and not the typical shape of a mite or tick.
I put in a white cheese tub as a temporary water dish as this made spotting the invaders easier than with the normal dark coloured resin dish. Within 48 hours there were both egg rafts and nymphs in the dish.
Further bug hunting through the litter chips and I found several chips with 'fuzzballs'. These consist of individual black core with a very fine, fuzzy coating. Whether these are a fungal growth or different type of litter-bug egg cases, I don't know. Closest thing I've seen like it is a spider nest. Think of frog spawn without the jelly.
They seem to be inhabiting the litter only and not causing any distress or irritation to the snake. I have had a good look and have not seen anything untoward on the scales. Nevertheless, they are not welcome and will shortly be evicted.
Any help in identifying these squatters would be appreciated. Pictures attached to give an idea of scale and form. Sorry the 'ant' is not too clear but I was using an improvised macro-adapter on the camera and was difficult to get into focus. Bic pen ball tip gives a relative size of the fuzzballs.
Cheers, Alan.
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1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
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gingerpony
Queen Bee
United Kingdom
10455 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2011 : 22:54:58
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my eyesight is shocking lol but springtail?
oooooooooh heck that reminds me!! |
cornsnakes, ratsnakes, bullsnakes, boas and day geckos
Location:Leeds/York/Selby area |
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Mamma
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
4494 Posts |
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Simmy_82
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1272 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2011 : 23:32:25
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| Not wood worms are they? Could have got there from your chippings? |
 
0.1.0 - Cat - Tallulah
0.0.1 - Carolina Corn Snake - Lilith |
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2011 : 23:39:14
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Thanks gingerpony. Springtail is a certainly a running contender judging by what I've been able to find for reference on Google. Elongate Springtail is the closest so far. I'll see if I can get a better snapshot and try to match against references.
BTW, you are not the only one with poor eyesight. I can't read a bus destination board but have hawk eyes for little wrigglers, even almost invisible ones. ;)
Cheers, Alan. |
1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2011 : 23:49:38
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Simmy, I doubt if they are woodworm. The chippings are from a reliable pet shop and they use the same for their own stock. I'm more inclined to the view that they are local invaders, possibly from indoor house plants.
Mamma, try a page refresh and see if that brings up the images.
Cheers, Alan. |
1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
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Sta~ple
qeeun speler
United Kingdom
6129 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2011 : 09:45:57
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| Ssssssspringtails! That is a lovely picture btw! Maybe with your permission people could make "Is it mites" thread so spring tails will no longer be confused of mistaken as mites. I now have to store my substrate in big massive boxes as any slight opeing in the bag and dampness means they breed like crazy in my stuff! |
   
A very special super, duper thanks for K :3 |
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Mort13
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5599 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2011 : 10:19:04
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quote:
Originally posted by gingerpony
my eyesight is shocking lol but springtail?
oooooooooh heck that reminds me!!
Aaahh,so thats what they look like LOL!!  |
      
3.1.0 Corn snakes, 1.0.0 T-Albino Cape House Snake, 0.1.0 Western Hognose,
1.0.0 MBK, 0.1.0 Childrens Python, 1.0.0 Nicaraguan Dwarf Boas
0.0.1 Occelated Skink, 1.0.0 Leopard Gecko, 1.0.3 Tarantulas, 0.0.2 Damon diadema
1.0.0 C0ckatiel,
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scottishbluebird
it is all my fault
United Kingdom
8403 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2011 : 16:07:17
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| Do they cause any harm? |
     
0.1.0 Corn - Kellogs
1.0.0 Hognose - Storm
0.1.0 Staffy - Lyla
1.0.0 Spaffy(staffy x springer)-Spyro
1.0.0 Ferret - Peanut R.I.P
0.1.0 Crestie - Fudge. Wish List - Pygmy hedgehog. Tropiocolotes |
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2011 : 16:11:27
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Thanks a lot folks, I think we have a winner and Elongate Springtail gets the winning vote. The houseplant compost is the most likely source.
I'll try and take some better photos including the egg rafts for future reference.
Now how about a suggestion for the Fuzzballs?
Answers should be sent directly to me and written on the back of a £10 note. ;0) |
1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
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Sta~ple
qeeun speler
United Kingdom
6129 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2011 : 16:18:57
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quote:
Originally posted by scottishbluebird
Do they cause any harm?
Nope, they eat wood and plants.
I have had a type of fuzzy ball, this ws huge though and was mould!
When I squished, it turned black  Where they in the viv/RUB or in the bag of substrate? If in the bag I would be tempted to throw it out and get a new bag! |
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2011 : 16:43:08
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Blech!
I've seen fungus like that before and I put it down to a ripening bit of poop. In this case the Fuzzballs are on individual wood chips. The chips are due to be changed over the weekend and the viv scrubbed down anyway.
The arrangement being so regular convinces me that it could be some sort of beasty deposit, eggs or whatever.
Alan. |
1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
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Sta~ple
qeeun speler
United Kingdom
6129 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2011 : 17:41:35
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| There was poop under there :p maybe yours is beastie poop :p |
A very special super, duper thanks for K :3 |
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eeji
The Morph Master
United Kingdom
4335 Posts |
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2011 : 22:25:15
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I was more concerned about the invaders being parasitic in any way and not really looking for domestic help volunteers. 
Had another look at the fuzzballs under a microscope this time and they seem to be some sort of wood fungus with bits of dusty detritus attached to the filaments. They are definitely not any form of egg deposit.
I also had a look at one of the nymphs under the scope as well.... EEEK! I've got aliens in my hoose. 
Cheers, Alan. |
1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
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Beasty ID help please.
