bugs!

[tedr108]

I never read anything about bugs on aquatic plants, but my new Ludwigia Narrow leaf has them. They are little 1/4" clear worms that take 2 circular pieces of leaves and make a sandwich of themselves in the middle. Then, they run around eating my poor Ludwigia to pieces -- I was falsely accusing snails. I kept seeing these leaf pieces and didn't think much of them. Today I was watching and said, "Hey, that thing is moving!" Pulled it up and there was a worm in the middle.

I have 4 Ludwigia and they are only on the one as far as I can tell. I'm thinking to pull the thing and clean it off well.

If anyone has any experience with these critters, please let me know what I should do. I'm hoping that the adults will not be able to breed.

 

[tedr108]

I just pulled the plant and am going to toss it -- there were lots of these caterpillars/worms. My tank actually looks better since it opened up some space. I wouldn't be surprised if these bugs spread to my other 3 Ludwigias -- I'll probably just pull them all at that point. The Ludwigias are beautiful at their tops and from above, but all those roots down below were not overly attractive to me anyway.

 

[Micardiz]

I recentely set up a 4 foot nonco2 non excel tank myself 2 weeks ago. And now it has turned into a catterpillar haven!!!! My tank is destroyed to say the least. I have dumped in 2 tablespoons of potassium permanganate to completely destroy them but they seem totally unaffected . Somebody help ma please. How do I kill these critters. I know that this tank is beyond salvaging but I want to start over and how do I avoid getting into the same mess again?!!!! Tom if you are seeing this ,...I am truly desperate.

 

[Tug]

Hello all,
Sorry, I just have more questions. But, other then close scrutiny what can be added to a quarantine tank to avoid this and similar unpleasant situations?

 

[Biollante]

Quarantine, Sanitize, Sterilize

Hello all,
Sorry, I just have more questions. But, other then close scrutiny what can be added to a quarantine tank to avoid this and similar unpleasant situations?

Hi All,

Sanitize, time, Alum, Potassium permanganate, bleach.

Biollante