Re: [compost_tea] Worms in my ACT

From: <soilfoodweb_at_aol.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 10:22:19 -0400
The larvae that you describe is from another group of soil critters called MICROARTHROPODS. 

The ones with legs may well be collembola, or prostigmatid mites, or even a mesostigmatid mite.  If they truly have legs, and not just hold-fats, then you are likely OK with respect to the critters being beneficials. 

Soil needs microarthropods too, just like nematodes, or protozoa, or eathworms.  They are all serving a similar functional role - they consume bacteria and fungi, releasing nutirents in the root zone, for plants to take up and grow. 

They are part of the the team of critters that Mother Nature uses to make sure enough inorganic forms of nutrients become available to your plant, at the times your plant needs, in the rates the plants require.  As long as the miniaml foodweb is present, plant thrive.  Improving the diversity of critters just means you have a healthier plant. 

So, if you can take a picture of the critters you see (digital camera, optical zoom of 3 or better), and e-mail the picture to me, I can do my best to ID it.  May not be able to give you species, but at least get you to "good guy" versus "bad guy" distinction.

In all likelihood, however, you are seeing good guys.

Elaine Ingham
President, Soil Foodweb Inc.
SFI Corvallis, OR
SFI Port Jefferson, NY
SFI Lismore, NSW, Australia
SFI Hilversum, The Netherlands
SFI Cambridge, New Zealand
SFI Culiacan, Mexico
SFI Jerome, Idaho
http://www.soilfoodweb.com


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Received on Fri Apr 30 2004 - 11:47:11 EDT

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