Mold in Bess beetle habitat?

[Trailblazr80]

I found a couple of pieces of wood with some white, fuzzy mold growing on them. I threw a couple pieces out, but I am worried about it spreading, and wondering what kind of effect it may have on Bess beetles? How can I combat it/get rid of it? I checked all over the internet and there was very limited information. I've only lightly misted, but since the substrate is already kept damp as it is (with rotting wood) I'm wondering if I should cut back on the misting. Another thing that may be the problem is the glass canopy top for the tank. I'm thinking this may not be a problem if I had a mesh top or just allowed more ventilation? Thanks

 

[Galapoheros]

My guess is that you need the mold/fungus in there to break down the cellulose http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose so that the grubs and beetles can even chew through the wood, it's a good thing imo, they live all around that stuff.

 

[The Snark]

sapro-xylophagous, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detritivore

 

[Smokehound714]

Depends on what kind of mold.

If the mold looks "smooth" and white, it's actually mycellium, and if the proper conditions are met, you could actually get a mushroom to develop.

 

[Trailblazr80]

Thanks for the response- it actually looks kind of like peach fuzz, and one of the bigger chips was starting to turn greenish (along with the white.) It seems as if it is spreading a little!I left the canopy top of the tank open a bit to allow a little more ventilation.

 

[Galapoheros]

You should be comfortable with the fungus in there, mold is a fungus btw, the beetles and grubs would die without fungus. I have mushrooms come up in humid cages often, it's no big deal. I think most of us were programmed about fungus when we were kids, that it's bad nasty stuff, and it can be to humans and that's what our minds are caught up in, "us", something like wanting to change a tiger into a vegetarian. You can read page 10 here and there is other good info there on other pages, I only looked at a few pages but the first 10 pages look like a good summary. http://books.google.com/books?id=fB...gW_7ICwAw&ved=0CEEQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[The Snark]

You should be comfortable with the fungus in there, mold is a fungus btw, the beetles and grubs would die without fungus. I have mushrooms come up in humid cages often, it's no big deal. I think most of us were programmed about fungus when we were kids, that it's bad nasty stuff, and it can be to humans and that's what our minds are caught up in, "us", something like wanting to change a tiger into a vegetarian. You can read page 10 here and there is other good info there on other pages, I only looked at a few pages but the first 10 pages look like a good summary. http://books.google.com/books?id=fB...gW_7ICwAw&ved=0CEEQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q&f=false

Great link!

 

[Smokehound714]

I allow "mold" to develop as long as it's not black mold, which is not only highly toxic to arachnids and most insects, but to us, as well.

I'm still trying to get that mycelium to fruit, it might take a while, but I'm hoping a neat saprophagous shroom pops up, that'd make for some killer in-situ photos

 

[Trailblazr80]

Thanks for all the responses...I actually swapped the glass cover with a mesh screen top (which I probably should have done in the first place). That should help for any overabundance of mold, and if a little grows, I won't freak out!

 

[Bugs In Cyberspace]

I've been waiting years to see the "mold is no big deal" mentality take hold regarding our hobby tanks. I totally agree! I've also noticed over the years that a new tank will almost always have to go through a cycling phase where it achieves a balance among the various microorganisms that are suddenly introduced to it on an organic based substrate. Conversely, in a seasoned tank that has been running for half a year or more, the addition of a little bit of fresh substrate (leaves and wood) often doesn't have significant issues with mold. In the worst of cases I spot clean the moldy bits out, but they usually disappear on their own, especially if there is an animal in there turning the substrate a bit and ventilation is increased.

 

[The Snark]

I allow "mold" to develop as long as it's not black mold, which is not only highly toxic to arachnids and most insects, but to us, as well.

I'm still trying to get that mycelium to fruit, it might take a while, but I'm hoping a neat saprophagous shroom pops up, that'd make for some killer in-situ photos

Could you supply some refs on the black molds? I've got a battle royal going with the stuff.

 

[Smokehound714]

Could you supply some refs on the black molds? I've got a battle royal going with the stuff.

There are two different kinds.. One is Aspergillus niger, which is common in soil and attacks fruits and plants, the other is Stachybotrys chartarum, which is just as bad for us haha.

Fun fact: A. niger is a major cause of ear infections!