u/Just_A_Dumpling_

Hey, everyone. A few weeks ago, I bought these orange springtails at an expo. I've since put a few in multiple terrariums, but also kept some in this little petri dish. I've definitely seen them multiply, but I've also seen an abundance of what I assume are white springtails. However, today I opened the lid to give them some fish flakes and I saw multiple of these tiny black bugs. Are these some sort of gnats? Should I be concerned? Will this mean they'll take over my terrariums I've put the orange springtails into as well?

My mantis just recently had her first molt with me and now I'm second guessing if I got her sex right. Sorry for the bad photos, she's enjoying her first meal after the molt.

Also, if anyone has any recommendations for a phone camera, would love to hear them. I bought one and am not enjoying it. I've got a Google Pixel 10 Pro

Hello! I am new to landscaping and gardening in general and I've let my yard get into a terrible state due to health, but I'm trying to get it fixed up. I'm wanting to continue the flowerbed from the front of the house to this side, but I have no idea what I should plant. My plan was to do the cardboard method to kill all the weeds and grass, place a border and fill it with soil/compost/mulch. However, I have no idea what sort of plants I should grow. I live in zone 8a and this side of the house is mostly shaded. The front originally had some sort of reddish bushes and elephant ears. Another section I've fixed up I've put in Coral Bells, Hostas, and Creeping Jenny. I really like the Creeping Jenny and would like to continue it as a border plant. I would like to do something different with the rest. Thanks!

Hello! I'm new to moss and plant identification in general. I've tried Google Lens and can't seem to get an answer on what this moss is. I was hoping to find cushion moss, but off in the distance I found mounds of this that looked really pretty. Located in central AR. Hoping to propagate it and make a moss wall in a terrarium with it. Thanks!

Hello everyone. New Mantis keeper here and I just got my Ghost Mantis in today. I ordered a thing of flightless fruit flies with them, but did not receive them (I've emailed the seller). I'm now freaking out because no pet stores near me have any in stock until later this week. My Mantis is really tiny, I'm thinking an L2? All the small crickets at the store looked too big for them. The store did have powder isopods in stock with some smaller ones, would those work? I do have a little container of charcoal with some springtails that I'm trying to make a colony. Could I set the mantis in there to eat?