---
title: "I found this on my hoya carnosa compacta’s saucer, thinking it was…"
description: "I found this on my hoya carnosa compacta’s saucer, thinking it was just dust, but it’s actually moving. What pest is that? 😭"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/8yS7WtYwiuoxN3R4qFZrXx"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Camy"
published: "2025-09-01T14:54:34.391407Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/UE2H6HLz7BCrJJcxYboOLNdtGLgZr-wz69yWpexFqR4/giqhZ76xT_25rXfQqcA3zw.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md)

# I found this on my hoya carnosa compacta’s saucer, thinking it was…

_Posted by Camy on 2025-09-01_

I found this on my hoya carnosa compacta’s saucer, thinking it was just dust, but it’s actually moving. What pest is that? 😭

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/UE2H6HLz7BCrJJcxYboOLNdtGLgZr-wz69yWpexFqR4/giqhZ76xT_25rXfQqcA3zw.webp?size=large)

## 13 comments

### happysoxdonkey commented on 2025-09-01

Maybe mealy bugs? I know they’re white.

#### Camy replied on 2025-09-01

I really hope not 😭 my plant looks perfectly healthy, but maybe I’ll still use pesticide just in case

### Gabe commented on 2025-09-01

Def should use a pesticide. It looks like larvae to me.

#### Camy replied on 2025-09-01

😭😭 I wonder what pest it is

### Lauren Miller commented on 2025-09-01

Fungus gnats? Thrips?

### Paulina | Semi-Hydro commented on 2025-09-01

Are they jumping around? Could be springtails

#### Camy replied on 2025-09-01

I have to look very closely, they move but very little and it’s very subtle

#### Paulina | Semi-Hydro replied on 2025-09-01

No idea then, sorry 🙃 Unless they’re harming your plant though I wouldn’t worry so much. I’d maybe spray some hydrogen peroxide into the soil and/or give the plant, pot and saucer a shower/clean

### Planty28 commented on 2025-09-01

I would say aphids. I’ve had them on a few of my hoyas this year :( Really look at the tips of your Hoya (where new growth is) that’s what they feed on. I find they don’t really make the plant decline except where there are in clusters.

#### Camy replied on 2025-09-01

I really hope it’s not that😭

### plantgeek commented on 2025-09-01

springtails! i have them too. they eat dead matter in the soil. they don't usually cause a problem unless you're seeing them move about the top of the soil outside of watering day. that usually indicates root rot or some kind of overwatering. otherwise they're actually considered beneficial!

#### Camy replied on 2025-09-01

Oooh I hope it’s that and not an invasive pest! So would letting the soil dry out completely help, or will they always stay?

#### plantgeek replied on 2025-09-01

they'll always stay. no need to try and get rid of them really, they're probably already in your other plants too lol they're tricky like that

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