We noticed some white particles on our Saintpaulias, or African violets, and wondered what it could be — a perfect job for the Foldscope! Unfortunately…at least from the perspective of the plant we have grown from just a single leaf…it seems that there are tiny organisms colonizing the leaves of the violet. It looks like it could be a type of small aphid:
What wonderful ghostly beasts @Josh. Just lovely. the proboscis is long enough; so they must be feeding on the plant. Also; the white coating reminds me of these waxy aphids which I have seen sometimes.
Can you try to image one live – I wonder how they feed.
Beautiful post.
cheers
manu