What is this critter?

[OrganicOzarks]

So I have seen a few of these critters in some plants that are 2 weeks from being done. They are shaped like a piece of rice, and their butts lift in the air if you fuck with them. Reminds me of what a scorpion does. They are dark in color, and almost appear black. They seem to be above ground, and have even seen them high up on plants. What are these, and are they a problem? Thanks for the help.

 

[SpicySativa]

Springtail, maybe? Had to tell the scale by that picture.

 

[Gascanastan]

Observe their behavior for as long as your eyes can watch them,do they act like predators,fast moving and hunting. Or do they look like sheep,slow moving,gathered around decaying organic materials. Watch them.

 

[OrganicOzarks]

It is a little smaller than a grain of rice. I was thinking some sort of springtail, but it just did not look like the others I have seen. They are living under my pots in the trays, and they are coming up the sides of the pots, and then they hang out on the pots, and up on some of the leaves. I have not seen any damage form them. It appears as if they are foraging.

 

[OrganicOzarks]

Observe their behavior for as long as your eyes can watch them,do they act like predators,fast moving and hunting. Or do they look like sheep,slow moving,gathered around decaying organic materials. Watch them.

They are fast, and appear to be predators. That is why I was not to concerned. However I was wanting to know what they may be going after as there may be a bigger problem.

 

[Gascanastan]

Probably eating decomposer's....not all decomposer's are slow moving though. Take about 1/8 cup of the soil and spread it out on a white piece of paper under good lighting....now sit down w/a cup of coffee and watch it for a while. What signs of life can you identify that you can compare w/Google images?

 

[Scrappy4]

There floaters, I see them all the time. No really what gas said....scrappy

 

[bigshrimp]

Can't tell from the pictures, but your description sounds like rovebeetles.

Top of the food chain generalist predator. Eats springtails,soil mites, fungus gnats larvae, soil critters...

Great sign, means your soil ecology is healthy enough to support top predators!

 

[OrganicOzarks]

Can't tell from the pictures, but your description sounds like rovebeetles.

Top of the food chain generalist predator. Eats springtails,soil mites, fungus gnats larvae, soil critters...

Great sign, means your soil ecology is healthy enough to support top predators!

I looked them up, and I believe that you are correct. They do look like rove beetles. Thanks for the help!