Bioactive. What is this bug?

[BeardieDaddio]

Hello all!

So I’m trying bioactive for the first time in a 4x2x2 enclosure. I had a question about the second picture posted. What is this small green bug on the side of the tank? Is it something to be worried about? I did a bit of research and it doesn’t look like a fungus gnat. Any advice or insight would be apprechiated.

 

[Sadie]

Hello all!

So I’m trying bioactive for the first time in a 4x2x2 enclosure. I had a question about the second picture posted. What is this small green bug on the side of the tank? Is it something to be worried about? I did a bit of research and it doesn’t look like a fungus gnat. Any advice or insight would be apprechiated.

No idea but let me see if someone can answer this

 

[Dloyd92]

Where are you from? The picture is pretty blurry, but it looks like it may be an aphid.

 

[BeardieDaddio]

Where are you from? The picture is pretty blurry, but it looks like it may be an aphid.

Ontario Canada, I was also thinking it was an aphid. But I wasn’t sure. I wish I could post the video but it wouldn’t let me. In the case of it being an aphid is there any concern?

 

[BeardieDaddio]

Ontario Canada, I was also thinking it was an aphid. But I wasn’t sure. I wish I could post the video but it wouldn’t let me. In the case of it being an aphid is there any concern?

Cripped tge pic. Hopefully this is better

 

[Dloyd92]

Ontario Canada, I was also thinking it was an aphid. But I wasn’t sure. I wish I could post the video but it wouldn’t let me. In the case of it being an aphid is there any concern?

On that I have no clue. Sorry. I’m also very new to bearded dragons. Only had mine for a week today. But if I had to guess I’d say you SHOULD be fine. I imagine it all depends on what the aphid ate before it gets eaten itself. Considering how tiny an aphid’s stomach is it’s probably of little consequence. Though if you have live plants in your enclosure I’d be more worried about them than the dragon. Did you bake your substrate before filling the enclosure?

 

[Dloyd92]

Cripped tge pic. Hopefully this is better

Still pretty dang blurry. But it sure looks like the profile of an aphid. I’m just learning about dragons, but I have pretty extensive experience with plants.. lol. Aphids are like plant mosquitoes. They suck the juice from plants and poop out a sweet liquid. Some species of ants will actually “herd” aphids to eat their poo, and when they need protein they eat the aphid. They bite off the aphids wings and carry them to a plant to feed and in turn excrete.

 

[Dloyd92]

They’re pretty small. Again, I’m speaking outside of my experience, but a bearded dragon might not even bother with it. Particularly if your beardie is already well fed.

 

[Dloyd92]

View attachment 37325
They’re pretty small. Again, I’m speaking outside of my experience, but a bearded dragon might not even bother with it. Particularly if your beardie is already well fed.

 

[BeardieDaddio]

Yea, the more I google aphids the more certain I am that that’s what it is. Regarding the baking of the substrate, no I did not. It’s a mix of 30 percent peat moss, 20 percent repti soil and 50 percent washed play sand. Thanks you all!

 

[Dloyd92]

Yea, the more I google aphids the more certain I am that that’s what it is. Regarding the baking of the substrate, no I did not. It’s a mix of 30 percent peat moss, 20 percent repti soil and 50 percent washed play sand. Thanks you all!

I’m glad I could be of at least some help! Not sure how the critter got in there. To my knowledge they lay their eggs on the underside of leafs. I suppose it is possible that a stray egg found its way into your substrate. I don’t know much about bioactive substrates but I’d say you should still bake it then re-inoculate it with safe and beneficial bacteria to kill off any potential parasites/pathogens.