Actually, even when present, they are very hard to find. They are tiny, fast-moving, and detest the light of day. To get a photo I'd surely have to kill it and in doing so it would be disfigured and my camera couldn't even get a decent picture.
Here is what Google images returns:
https://www.google.com/search?...
In reality they are smaller than a tiny ant, these pictures make them look quite larger. You have almost doubtless run across them from time to time. If you've ever been digging, even in potting soil, and noticed a tiny white arthropod scampering for cover, that's a Symph. If they weren't snow white, you might never even be able to spot them. If you do see one you would just think that it is a leaf-litter creature subsisting on organic matter in the soil. And for the most part that's true, but they also have an appetite for tender, juicy root hairs and they can do serious damage. Generally to tender, domesticated plants like vegetables. They have been nicknamed the Achilles Heel of organic gardening.
I'm suspicious of this particular semp pictured below. These two rosettes were planted together at the same time. The one on the left is solidly rooted and looks happy. The one on the right though feels a bit loose and clearly has some issues. I'm certain that its root development is not what it ought to be. Or course, I can't say that Symphs are to blame but it surely wouldn't surprise me. I know this plant had some roots when I planted it and I suspect they are being attacked by a couple of Symphs, maybe just one. They are highly active and mobile in the soil and will traverse a small root system looking for tender tips to taste. I think this particular one has enough roots left to barely survive, for the time being at least. The four chicks on this plant have rooted themselves and appear more solid than their parent. I'm going to leave this alone until the chicks are a little more established and then lift the parent rosette and see what I can see. I don't like mysteries.
