missing roots, please identify my pest

[StrapAssassin42]

I found these in my soil after battling nute deficiencies forever. They were found in swampy spots in my soil, in an otherwise dry pot. They look like fungus gnat larvae but DO NOT have a black head. I do have mites in my soil as well that I have identified as hypoaspis miles.
I've just odered BTI and two types of nematodes. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[StrapAssassin42]

Taken under a 60x loupe. Thought maybe nematodes but they are clearly segmented. (you can't tell in the pic)

 

[paladin420]

fungus gnat larva at an early stage. flush flush...

 

[StrapAssassin42]

So fungus gnats are confirmed, I have seen them in flight. I have started BTI and nematodes.
I am seeing new damage...here are some pics...do I have an additional problem?


The last pic is taken under 30x in the soil...some kind of sand with lots of larvae in and around it....cluster of eggs maybe?

 

[medicalmj]

You may want to consider an Azamax drench or two followed up by the nematodes. At least that's what I'd do if they were getting bad.

The little worms are fungus gnat larvae. I've had them. You may also see soil mites at some point, but don't be alarmed. They just clean up after the damage done by those FG larvae. The main options are predators, azadarachtin (Azamax), neem oil, SNS-203, cedar oil, or nuclear with Imidacloprid.

When it comes to azadarachtin (active ingredient in Neem) I go for Azamax/Azatrol for drenches instead of Neem. I use the neem for for foliar. SNS 203 is extracts of rosemary and clove prepared to be used as a drench. Cedar oil needs to be flushed thouroughly. And if you're in veg and have all types of issues than Imidacloprid will wipe out a lot shit. As you may know it's a systemic so don't use if you got flowers already.

I now treat my coco with predator nematodes about 3 times from start to finish to be proactive. I never have them squirming around like they had done in the past but once in a while I'll find a flier on my yellow sticky card. Put up sticky's to gauge their presence, but don't use sticky cards as a way to eliminate because they won't. Once you get a couple fliers on your trap its time for a new dose of nematodes.

 

[StrapAssassin42]

Thanks....so you think all damage is from fungus gnats? I've had them before but never with this much damage.
Any explanation for the white dots on the leaf?

 

[medicalmj]

Thanks....so you think all damage is from fungus gnats? I've had them before but never with this much damage.
Any explanation for the white dots on the leaf?

Can you post some more pics of the white dots. Any other descriptions would help too. Might be other pests, nothing, caused by root issues, a fungus/mold, just too hard to tell just yet.

 

[StrapAssassin42]

That's gonna be the best pic I can get. It was taken under 30x. They just look like pimples...I cannot see any movement on the leaves. I thought I had springtails in the soil but turns out that thrips are very similar. Thrip damage? I've sprayed neem 3x 72 hrs apart so far. The dots are only on a few leaves.

 

[medicalmj]

That's gonna be the best pic I can get. It was taken under 30x. They just look like pimples...I cannot see any movement on the leaves. I thought I had springtails in the soil but turns out that thrips are very similar. Thrip damage? I've sprayed neem 3x 72 hrs apart so far. The dots are only on a few leaves.

Thrips will enventually start leaving behind black dots that are their excrement. Do the white dots have a texture? Are they bumps or are they areas of the leaf that are missing green color but are basically smooth?

 

[StrapAssassin42]

Definitely bumps....can't feel it bump can see they are raised.

 

[StrapAssassin42]

So I have now positively identified root aphids, fungus gnats, and thrips! Holy shit...no wonder I'm having problems!
Ive used nematodes, bti, and yellow stickies for gnats. I'm considering hot water dunks but am concerned I will do more harm than good. I have pyrethrin on the way but don't think I want to use that as a drench...it takes a lot and it can damage plants...so I've read. Mycotrol is another option.
Any thoughts would be helpful.

 

[ozzieAI]

use pure neem oil FTW...good luck

 

[medicalmj]

So I have now positively identified root aphids, fungus gnats, and thrips! Holy shit...no wonder I'm having problems!
Ive used nematodes, bti, and yellow stickies for gnats. I'm considering hot water dunks but am concerned I will do more harm than good. I have pyrethrin on the way but don't think I want to use that as a drench...it takes a lot and it can damage plants...so I've read. Mycotrol is another option.
Any thoughts would be helpful.

What convinced you that you have RAs? I once mistook soil mites for RAs. If you have lots of FGs you more than likely have soil mites. Soil mites are phoretic, they basically hitch rides on other things to find suitable habitat. And they cling to the legs of FGs and go from one good place to the next.

They live of organic matter, fungus, bacteria, decomposing litter, but not roots. There is a bulb mite but doesn't choose cannabis. FGs cause some root damage and the mites will feast anything left behind.

I just noticed an increase in FG fliers on my sticky card (my alarm system for these bastards) and am off to get some nematodes. The pressure is low so this should keep them in balance for the duration of this cycle (6 weeks left). If FG pressure increases I will perform Azamaz drench. I am in airpots now but happen to have smart pots for the next round. Might post a question on that.

 

[StrapAssassin42]

I have seen hypoaspis miles too. These are definitely root aphids...dual exhaust pipes. No mistaking thrips.

I ordered botanigard today and will be using pyganic as well.

I have noticed a significant reduction in larvae since starting bti and nematodes.

I will be using bti from now on as preventative.... along with nematodes.

Check out the mosquito dunk stickie for tips on fungus gnats.

 

[medicalmj]

. These are definitely root aphids...dual exhaust pipes. No mistaking thrips...Check out the mosquito dunk stickie for tips on fungus gnats.

That sucks!

I tried the dunks and they didn't work for me. I wish they had Gnatrol round here as the Bti is more concentrated and the media better for gardening.

 

[Seaf0ur]

I aerate dunks, crushed in 1 gallon glass jars.... I use 30 gallons of air per gallon glass jar. These make slurries, teas, sprouted barley soaks..... they're the center of my program as I dont have a bottle other than dynagro neem and agsil 16h for veg foliars.... that aside, I ferment.... whatever......

Point is, I aerate these crushed dunks in water and water with this undiluted when I had issue. Also, crushed dunks sprinkled on soil seemed to help as well. Its the high bacterial concentrations in the water that was my goal.... seemed to help immensely....

Also a healthy breeding population of beneficial nematodes will double effort and correct quicker....

HTH
-C4

 

[StrapAssassin42]

I use the mosquito bits... I just got more...I will put some in my compost tea next time. I am using nematodes as well.

Dunks do have pretty short shelf life...try arbico organics...I'm confident they keep a fresh stock.