I was away for about two weeks and was concerned what state the bug terrarium would be in upon my return. Thankfully, all seems well. There are so many roly polies…still a little concerned about overpopulation and think a centipede might be a beneficial addition. The Japanese beetle and the green stink bug are alive and well. We couldn’t spot the desert stink beetle and I was worried it had died. It is quite large and I figured wouldn’t be too difficult to find. We looked around, even moving a couple of things, to no avail. And then, suddenly, there it was, walking around and investigating an apple slice. Perhaps it burrows or squeezes between the two pieces of bark that provide a bit of a backdrop to the terrarium. I was very happy to see it alive and looking healthy!

The only critter I haven’t seen is the little spider. There is some webbing in one corner that has trapped a fungus gnat, but there’s been no appearance of its weaver. Just as I was typing this, I realized the spider is small enough to have easily climbed through some of the ventilation holes, so I’m hoping it wandered to other climes, rather than died in the terrarium.

There is definitely a fungus gnat concern. They aren’t harmful or anything, but just a little annoying. They leave the enclosure easily and fly around the house. I am considering getting some rove beetles (Dalotia coriaria) and introducing them to the habitat. I have been reading that they are excellent at predating fungus gnats, both in the soil when the gnats are in their larval stage and above ground when the gnats are adults. I am slightly concerned about the rove beetles impacting the springtail population but, from what I’ve read, this should be okay. Also, unless we’re able to find one or two, I’ll have to order them online and they’re not particularly cheap, especially with shipping. Plus, the smallest amount I’ve been able to find is a hundred specimens, and that is way more than the terrarium could handle in any kind of balanced way. Perhaps we could start a separate rove beetle colony?

I also ordered some very small usb fans (designed for cooling computers) and plan on using one or two in an effort to better ventilate the terrarium. I think improving air circulation might help with the fungus gnat situation and probably be good overall for the habitat.