Black Trapezoid Shaped Bad Guy in seed pots

[SCS]

Howdy-

When reviewing my seed pots under low power microscope magnification; I am seeing some yucky black upside down trapezoid shaped insects with golden or reddish color antennas. Any idea who these critters are?

If not; anyone have a good resource for greenhouse insect issues? In the recent past, we used to have a university extension near by; but it was recently closed down.

The insects are maybe 1/8 the size of a fungus gnat. Maybe smaller.

Thanks!

SCS

[jfabiao]

Can you count the legs on them? That would narrow down the search.

[toadstar]

Could be mites. I don't suppose you're able to take a picture of them?

[Orion Drakkar]

Maybe a Springtail

[SCS]

Thanks for the replies!

On legs, it has 8, I believe. 3 on each side, and under the always moving antenna, another 2 very small legs.

Under different magnification, it appears the legs and body have a little bit of hair on them. They are extremely tiny; so pics would not be possible.

They definitely like moisture; they are only in my seed pots.

I just looked up springtails on Wikipedia, and that might be a really good guess.

Based on my germination percentages; it doesn't appear that there is any damage to my seedlings.

Best regards, Lisa

[greenknight]

Springtails is a likely explanation. See if you can get one to jump, that would confirm it.

If they are springtails there's no problem, quite harmless.

[jfabiao]

8 legs means it's some kind of mite. There are lots of them, and only a handful are a nuisance.

[SCS]

Thanks again for the replies.

[greenknight]

From your description

On legs, it has 8, I believe. 3 on each side, and under the always moving antenna, another 2 very small legs.

I suspect that the "2 very small legs" aren't actually legs, more likely mandibles. Anyway, springtails jump when they're disturbed, that's their most noticeable characteristic. If you haven't seen them jump, probably not springtails.