> > found zillions of invertebrates.  I took new samples into the
> > entomology dept.  and had it verified as thrips. 
> >
> > To look for thrips, you'll probably need a hand-lens.  Look for
> > small crawling insects about 0.5--1.0 mm long, and about .25 mm
> > wide.  They are elongated crawling insects that are semi-transparent
> > (at least mine are).  They suck fluids and expell droplets onto the
> > plant.  I'm going to get rid of mine by swabbing the leaves with a
> > bit of alcohol, and letting them sit in shade for a few hours as the
> > alcohol dries.  They apparently do not enter the roots. 
> >
> >
> > Barry
> >
> >
> Do thrips have the ability to sit on water w/o breaking the surface
> tension?  I have some insects that seem to love living in wet & moist
> soils.  They get flushed out when I water but float around in the
> terrarium just fine.  They have the ability to stay top of the water
> and actually jump several centimeters when disturbed.  The have spread
> to many of my house-plants, but don't seem to cause a problem for
> anything.  They can get 2-3mm long and are usually clear. 
> 
> Jeff
> 
> 
>