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Contributed by: Beacon
Symphilids (Hanseniella ivorensis)
(photo provided by Diels Alder)
Small pests which look like tiny 1-2 millimeter,
cream or white colored centipedes.
But unlike
centipedes (harmless to plants), they destroy small
roots and burrow into the larger ones, where corky
patches indicate areas that these pests have gnawed.
Your plant will begin to show signs of necrosis
and leaves will start to die off.
It does not take
long for the whole plant to become affected with no
recovery from the damage.
Symphilids are not
normally found in sterilized potting mixtures. They most
commonly occur when using manure or compost based
mixtures which have not been sterilized.
If
infestation is suspected here's a way to determine if
you have them:
When you water your plant they will
rise to the surface of the soil and you can plainly see
them crawling on the top of the soil.
If you do
find an infestation, than the soil will need to be
treated with an appropriate pesticide.
From
personal experience I have used Fungus Gnat Killer (
"B.T." a non chemical / biological control) in the
powdered form. Sprinkle it on the surface of the soil
and water it in. One application will kill most of the
living larvae, but to be thorough, it is better to
repeat a second application 7 days later to catch the
breeding cycle.
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