I already checked into how to separate isopods from the non-worm compost for exactly that reason. It seems easy enough. In the worm bin, I've noticed they tend to loiter near the surface; they aren't really found in the casts. I'm wondering if simply crumbling the stuff while applying to spot and pick out the odd stray will be sufficient. Alternatively, I might try a quick dunk to send them running for fear of drowning. I could try the spread and sun dry approach that's supposed to work with regular compost, but isn't it bad to let your vermicompost dry out?

Yeah I think you're right about the white; looked again today and it was gone. The scale on the last plant if there is subtle, but how about the numerous non-subtle brown spots, some of which look eaten into the leaf? Some kind of mite? If so, here's the combo I've come up with: Acephate - Amazon: "97UP 1lb bag Generic Orthene Insect & Fire Ant Killer" - http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05507.html says "Insecticide with some effectiveness against spider mites. Systemic." Forbid 4F - eBay: "Free Forbid 4F Miticide Spiromesifen 1/4 OZ free gift when u purchase 3 pipettes" - "Like Avid, it is translaminar. The active ingredient, spiromesifin, while not systemic (i.e., it does not move through the plant’s vascular system like, for example, Merit does), is absorbed by the plant’s leaves and will move from the tops of the leaves to the bottoms where the mites feed." A lot of the more mainstream systemic products use Imidacloprid, and while they don't claim to work against mites, they also don't mention that one reason that spider mites become a problem is insecticides [such as Imidacloprid] that kill their natural predators.

They aren't as big as the picture and the video would lead us to believe. The largest that I've ever seen wasn't even an inch and a half. But they sure are exotic looking, I agree. You wouldn't believe the damage they can cause to a pretty lawn or pristine golf green!

Cutworms, eh? Just read about them and they don't sound nice nor easy to control. Will go down to the tables this evening and take a look. Thanks.