Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis

[MelissaB]

DGray, this may be a stupid question, but I'm going to ask anyway. Can BTI be used for fungus gnats without harming springtails and isopods in a planted viv?

 

[DGray]

DGray, this may be a stupid question, but I'm going to ask anyway. Can BTI be used for fungus gnats without harming springtails and isopods in a planted viv?

I don't think it is a stupid question at all. But in all honesty, I'm not sure. BT works in a very specific way on an insect's gut. I know it would theoretically not affect non-insects.

Perhaps try an experiment for yourself ?

 

[MelissaB]

That's a good idea, I think I will. I have a temperate springtail culture going. I'll take a small portion out and give it a go.

 

[MelissaB]

Ok, I took a small deli cup and set up a trial springtail culture. I used hygroton as the media, and fish flakes as the food. It's setup like a small version of my main culture. I used 3 BTI impregnated mosquito dunk dscs in the watering can, I put them in the watering can about 24 hours before I used some of the water. I usually only use 1 disc for my watering can, but I wanted a more concentrated mix. I only used the BTI water for the culture. So far, they're still doing well. It's been about 4 or five days. I'll update this in about a week, sooner if the culture tanks.

 

[MelissaB]

Update, just in case any one is wondering the outcome. The mini culture of springtails in the BTI water is doing great, reproducing normally, and hasn't had any ill effects that I can see. I'll update again if I notice any changes.

 

[Rodzuf]

Good experiment Melissa. I have treated my Cham cage with a soak of BTI with no ill effects going in 3 weeks now