Brewing tomorrow - found gnat in starter

I made a starter yesterday and went to check on it after work. I found what looks like a little gnat in the starter, it was floating near the top. Of course when I tried to get it to stick higher up on the jug it got sucked into the stir bars vortex. It's now at the bottom and all the yeast will be settling on top of it.

I'm just assuming it's not worth risking a batch since I can drive to the LHBS and pick up a couple of smack packs and still be able to brew tomorrow, but just thought I'd post to see what people think about using this or just picking up some more yeast. I still don't get how it got inside, the jug was wrapped with tin foil.

 

What kind of beer? If it is a be gone within two months from now type of beer, I would probably use the gnat and name it The real gnatties.

 

Call it Gnatty Lite.

 

It's an ESB using Wyeast Thames Valley II.

 

Priceless.

 

+1 on this. Made me chuckle.

 

Your ESB will now stand for Extra Special Bug

 

i wouldnt worry, how much could it drink?

 

Let me be the first to go against the consensus here and say I would absolutely not use it if there is another option. With a starter you're looking for not just a sanitary, but a sterile environment for the yeast to grow in. Insects are famous for harboring bacteria, and I doubt that little guy did you the courtesy of jumping in an autoclave before crawling in your starter. Why risk ruining your entire batch before you've even started brewing it? If it's not a big deal for you, absolutely pick up some fresh smack packs.

See this thread if you aren't convinced.
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/fruit-fly-my-starter-188881/

 

I agree with you gnats and flies carry do much bacteria. Instead of growing yeast you may have grown bacteria. I wouldn't risk the contamination.

 

I've heard horror stories of "fruit flies" getting in carboys and BOOM infecting the batch very, very quickly with acetobacteria(sp?), which (dont quote me) turns alcohol into vinegar. So yeah, make a new starter or pitch a packet of S-04.