I see no evidence of PM on this begonia. I don't remember ever seeing it on mine either. Typically PM hits rexes, Mallet canes, and canes with the big polka dots. Try Milstop if you do have PM problems. It works great but the caveat is it isn't at your nursery store (yet) so buy it online. It comes in five pound buckets and is kind of high ($70 with S&H). You mix one tablespoon per gallon.

Especially this time of year males will make a release call or at least vibrate a bit if you pick them up by the back with a thumb and forefinger. Also adult males will have swollen thumbs with somewhat of a pad on them for grasping females during amplexus. In Leopards females are generally larger and more robust than males. Green Frogs are easy like you said the tympanum and yellow throat thing. The males will also have swollen thumbs. Hope this helps. As far as salamander ID's, I had at one point a live collection of 50+ species, many of which were collected in that part of the country so I can help with any ID's you are sketchy on. Dave

I'm a novice on having a pet salamander, my Daughter and I love the outtdoors, and she is always into something outside... all critters, she loves salamanders since she was very young. I live on a 30 acre pond with 150 acres around me, basically open space, in CT. I decided to get her a spotted salamander about three months ago. Thus the problem currently I'm having now. I did some homework, got his tank set up and was doing well wih her and she even seemed like she was growning and settling in. Everything was going very well with him/her eating crickets. NOW??? She he hasnt eaten anything in what seems like forever, but its been now three or more weeks. Im very afraid she will not live to much longer if I dont figue this out. I tried to get some answers online, but info is very hard to come by on this topic. I noticed in a google search, this page came up, you had help someone out with info on thier issues with a spotted, and was hopful you might do the same for me if you can or know someone who does. I've tried a number of foods to change it up, but she always ate kricket well, I have her with meal worms now? not going good with that either, really can see much of a difference. During this down time of not eating, she got VERY latargic almost dead in appearence, and was looking like she had almost passed then, she hs gotten much, much smaller, she did not move much at all, even when picked up, it appeared that she was almost bloated?? She equaly was loosing some skin, molting?. I know it was cold in the room she was in, but I moved her into a warmer room, with a mist sprayer, changed her tank completly and she has all new bedding too. still nothing is changing, it looks like she is dwindaling away. Any thoughts on this would greatly help.?? I hate to see her suffer, if I'm not doing something corectly. My Daughter is devistatd as well, and I really dont know what else there is for me do do with out some guidence. Greatly appreciated!!!!

Here's a link to the manual: http://prizer-painter.com/manuals/salamander_manual_8706.pdf Here's what it says (no mention of pre-heating): MAIN BURNER OPERATION: Push and turn the lower valve dial to the left so that the HIGH position on the dial is at 12:00. Immediately you will hear the spark igniter snapping and the top front burner will ignite. Note: Until the burner has an adequate amount of gas it will not ignite Repeat the same procedure for the upper valve dial, which will ignite the top rear burner. When ignition has been accomplished a blue flame will be visible across the Entire face of the Infra-Red burner. After approx. 2 1â2 to 3 minutes the entire Burner surface will glow a bright orange red color.