Bugs on soil and lower leaves - Ask Extension
Hello,
I've recently noticed tiny bugs along the soil line and on the lower leaves of three of my philodendron houseplants. The bugs are tiny and ...
Knowledgebase
Bugs on soil and lower leaves #785322
Asked March 28, 2022, 12:46 PM EDT
Hello,
I've recently noticed tiny bugs along the soil line and on the lower leaves of three of my philodendron houseplants. The bugs are tiny and transparent/whitish; older ones appear to be slightly grayish. On each of the plants, I've also noticed a yellowing of one or two lower leaves, but I do not see any pest damage on the leaves themselves. I saw a few bugs on lower leaves but none past the bottom two or so leaves. These three plants were sitting next to each other. I have a video of a few of the bugs if that might be more helpful than photos; I'd be happy to email it. For reference, each of the two plants in the photos is in a 4" pot.
After searching online, I'm not sure exactly what these bugs are and if/how they should be treated.
Thank you for your help!
Brandon Sepulvado
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello Brandon,
Unfortunately we can't see the insects in question clearly enough to ID them for certain, though we realize getting good pictures of something so small is difficult. Video files aren't accepted by this platform, but we may not need them.
Our educated guess is that these are springtails; the overall body shape and size is right (and they occur in several neutral colors), and they are a common resident of potting mix. (Plenty also live outdoors in garden soil.) If these arthropods (they're not technically insects, but are related) bounce when touched, it's a good bet they're springtails since few other indoor insects can jump. They move so quickly when springing that you may not even see them jump or where they land, they'll just seem to disappear when prodded or disturbed.
Springtails consume decaying organic matter in the soil and are harmless -- even beneficial, considering they help recycle nutrients for for root absorption. You don't need to try to eliminate them, and they should stick to the houseplants (and won't invade the rest of the house) because they need the humidity and moisture.
The yellowing of the lower leaves looks like typical senescence (the natural leaf aging and shedding process). It tends to occur after a plant has been stressed or is acclimating to new conditions, such as moving from a greenhouse into a home. The plant shunts some of its energy reserves from old leaves and diverts them to new growth, because this younger growth can more easily adapt to changes in lighting, humidity, and temperature. Plus, even leaves on healthy plants do not live forever, and at some point the plant shuts them down and sheds them while producing younger growth further up the stem. As the leaf is cut-off from its moisture and nutrient supply, its chlorophyll breaks down (like tree leaves during autumn outside) and it slowly dehydrates. Lower leaf yellowing can also sometimes indicate certain nutrient deficiencies (like nitrogen), but if fertilizer is used during the growing season (or if the potting mix contains time-release fertilizer pellets) it's not a likely factor.
The rest of the plant appears to be in good condition, so we don't think the plant is under undue stress.
Miri
Unfortunately we can't see the insects in question clearly enough to ID them for certain, though we realize getting good pictures of something so small is difficult. Video files aren't accepted by this platform, but we may not need them.
Our educated guess is that these are springtails; the overall body shape and size is right (and they occur in several neutral colors), and they are a common resident of potting mix. (Plenty also live outdoors in garden soil.) If these arthropods (they're not technically insects, but are related) bounce when touched, it's a good bet they're springtails since few other indoor insects can jump. They move so quickly when springing that you may not even see them jump or where they land, they'll just seem to disappear when prodded or disturbed.
Springtails consume decaying organic matter in the soil and are harmless -- even beneficial, considering they help recycle nutrients for for root absorption. You don't need to try to eliminate them, and they should stick to the houseplants (and won't invade the rest of the house) because they need the humidity and moisture.
The yellowing of the lower leaves looks like typical senescence (the natural leaf aging and shedding process). It tends to occur after a plant has been stressed or is acclimating to new conditions, such as moving from a greenhouse into a home. The plant shunts some of its energy reserves from old leaves and diverts them to new growth, because this younger growth can more easily adapt to changes in lighting, humidity, and temperature. Plus, even leaves on healthy plants do not live forever, and at some point the plant shuts them down and sheds them while producing younger growth further up the stem. As the leaf is cut-off from its moisture and nutrient supply, its chlorophyll breaks down (like tree leaves during autumn outside) and it slowly dehydrates. Lower leaf yellowing can also sometimes indicate certain nutrient deficiencies (like nitrogen), but if fertilizer is used during the growing season (or if the potting mix contains time-release fertilizer pellets) it's not a likely factor.
The rest of the plant appears to be in good condition, so we don't think the plant is under undue stress.
Miri
