Aphid Cultures?

[scooter7728]

I had them all over one of my plants this summer before I started my tanks, never knew what they were. Now I know so looks like next summer they will be food, haha. The ones on my plant were red which is different from pictures I've seen.

[s6t6nic6l]

read this amusing thread plus my method which is as easy as culturing bean weevils that are also a good feeder for most critters:

http://www.frogforum.net/food-feeder...-froglets.html


bought this self watering propagator set for growing pea plants. a pea or two placed in each tub filled with a mineral rich compost. soon after, they start to sprout.


another couple of more days and we have the young plants coming on well. next part is to introduce the aphids to the plants and have small colonies, which can be kept under control, living and breeding here.


having these propagators as a pea aphid culture farm has been a successful venture. when the pea plant gets too large to keep itself upright with no supports and begins to bend over, this is the time to snip the bottom of the plant and transfer it to the viv for the critters.


I have a routine now that starts from left to right where as when I cut the plant I seed another pea in its place. they soon infest a seedling.


then the breeding takes place and soon the plant is infested.

[scooter7728]

funny i was outside sunny day and the plant I had them on I cut back but is growing again

[scooter7728]

figured let me check and its covered again

[scooter7728]

so i guess these arent the good ones? I did read pea aphids are easy to culture in tupperwares