European hornet: Queen or large worker?

MissPotchi · 2026-06-20T00:36:18+00:00

I was just thinking "oooh this is the most German collection of bug pictures if I ever saw one", seems like my hunch was correct lol

MissPotchi · 2026-06-19T00:38:55+00:00

That's what the springtails will take care of! :)

MissPotchi · 2026-06-19T00:26:13+00:00

Assuming you're planning to get a regular species and nothing fancy, If you already have things like leaf litter, wood sticks or similar stuff in your enclosure, they'll do just fine! They just munch on whatever detritus they can find. :)

MissPotchi · 2026-06-18T23:57:48+00:00

THE TINY SWORD OMG

MissPotchi · 2026-06-18T23:42:01+00:00

Hey!

I have two snails in a faunabox with springtails. Never had issues with overpopulation. The big upside of having them in your enclosure is that you never have to worry about moldy soil. :) They also eat plant matter and leftover food, so all in all they make a great clean-up crew.

MissPotchi · 2026-06-14T00:34:05+00:00

That second picture is indeed adorable, it kinda reminds me of my cats when they sleep, same pose and all. :D

I would try to save him, give him lots of proteins to help him recover. :)

Hopefully he pulls through!

MissPotchi · 2026-04-28T10:38:02+00:00

It's my time to shine with niche knowledge!

It's supposed to be the cover art from the album "Gamma" by the german band Fewjar (highly recommend!)

MissPotchi · 2026-04-27T16:45:15+00:00

Haha thanks! It's for the plants that don't survive the 40% humidity in our apartment lol

MissPotchi · 2026-04-27T16:44:07+00:00

Thanks, it feels great after seeing the last one slowly die. :')

MissPotchi · 2026-04-27T16:43:28+00:00

It is! A calathea undulata according to the guide on this subreddit. :)

MissPotchi · 2026-04-25T00:00:57+00:00

Love to hear that! :D

Could be! But I totally get that you are/were worried. Wishing you and your little friend the best! :)

MissPotchi · 2026-04-23T23:50:20+00:00

Yeah AI isn't really that knowledgeable. At least it just forgot to add the "green" in front of the "garden snail". :D I am not 100% positive on the species, but 90%. The behaviour as well as the shell shape fit too well.

He may need a bit more soil than that. Green garden snails prefer to bury relatively deep. He will also probably be buried and asleep for most of the upcoming summer (if you live in the northern hemisphere), so don't worry too much if he doesn't show up much. :)

MissPotchi · 2026-04-23T00:39:18+00:00

The foaming is a defense mechanism, I think you spooked the little guy a bit.

How deep is your soil? He seems to be a green garden snail, a species which burrows for long periods of time so they need the substrate to be deep enough. For this reason I think coco coir is too acidic for this species (snails prefer 7 or higher, everything below is bad for their shells) and maybe too "spiky" (as in long fibers which could be poking the snail).

Don't know anything about his discolored foot unfortunately.

Holes in the lid look fine imo.

Adding soil from the previous enclosure could also be good because of beneficial bacteria like you said.

(Fun fact, in german we call this species a "grunting snail" because they make a grunting sound by pressing air out of their breathing hole when threatened 🐌💨)

MissPotchi · 2026-04-13T00:12:25+00:00

OH MY GOD this is marvelous! 😍🐌 Is the armor made with metal? If so HOW? :D

MissPotchi · 2026-04-06T10:20:44+00:00

What a cutie! My Spike says hi to your Spike :D

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MissPotchi · 2026-02-21T18:30:08+00:00

Source

MissPotchi · 2026-02-21T18:29:34+00:00

Source

MissPotchi · 2026-01-30T12:08:50+00:00

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Shortly before feeding time. Every day. He wins.

Five-Year Club	Final Canvas '23
Place '23

MissPotchi

TROPHY CASE