Re: [Aroid-l] Aphis on Pistia from M. Kolaczewski

From: michael kolaczewski <mjkolaffhbc at sbcglobal.net> on 2009.07.17 at 05:16:16(19550) Greetings, More often than not, my Planted aquariums get "infested" with Collembola. They are also known by the common name, Springtails. They look similar to aphids. On the under side of their abdomen, is a "spring", hence their name. They are small enough to live upon the surface of the water, or on the upper surface of the leaves. I usually see them gathering on Anubias, Nelumbo, and Nymphaea leaves. You can check as to which one is in your tank, by moving your finger, a pencil, or any other object, towards them. Springtails will jump off the leaves, or even off the surface of the water! If they jump, they are of course Springtails. If not, They could very well be Aphids. there are several organic products, generally plant oils, people use in ponds to treat aphids on Aquatic plants. I have never used these in an aquarium before, ( It is not recommended). I employ skimmers in my aquariums, so eventually, the little guys get swept into the filters, or the fish get them. Michael Kolaczewski HTML +More From: Theodore Held To: Aroid-l@gizmoworks.com Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:05:14 PM Subject: [Aroid-l] Aphis on Pistia Dear List, To my surprise I found that an aquarium of mine with a layer of floating Pistia contained numerous tiny aphids, evidently parasitising what I assumed previously to be a pest-resistant aroid. The aphids in question are slightly yellowish-brown in color. Other Pistia I have are not infested. Does anyone have any knowledge of this curiosity? I can send a vial of preserved specimens in case we have a legit parasitologist reading this. Ted Held _______________________________________________ Aroid-L mailing list Aroid-L@www.gizmoworks.com http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l --0-2122014081-1247807776=:29692----==============i66255968146401848=

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