Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats are annoying but harmless to people, yet can destroy plants. They infest the soil of plants found indoors and out. They are attracted to light and commonly seen around windows. They are small and slender, almost like a mosquito.
- Fly Species
- fungus gnats, dark winged fungus gnats
- Family: Fungivoridae and Sciaridae
- Locations
- United States mostly in the Northern and Western states.
- All other continents and on most major islands.
- Size
- 1/10 - 1/8 inch (2.5 - 5mm)
- Identify
- Small, dark, and slender.
- Grayish to black< with long thin wings, legs, and antennae
- Very mosquito like.
- Dark winged fungus gnats have smoky colored wings and have eyes that meet above the base of the antennae.
- Life Cycle
- The entire life cycle averages 4 weeks.
- Eggs hatch in 4 to 6 days.
- Larvae feed for 12 to 14 days before they pupate for 5 to 6 days.
- Life Span
- Breeding
- Damp soil of plants, especially those that have been over-watered
- Decayed vegetable matter.
- The larvae feeds on the rotting roots, growth of fungi or soil rich in humus found at these sites.
- Congregation
- Found around over-watered potted plants, especially ferns and atriums.
- Greenhouses
- Health Importance
- Annoying, but do not present a risk to humans.
- However, they can be a vector for plant diseases, spreading sickness to plants from neighboring unhealthy plants such as rot root and other foliage pathogens.
- How to Kill / Control
- To get rid of fungus gnat:
- Eliminate breeding grounds
- Fly Sprays to kill adult flies
- View our Fly Control page for extended information on these methods.
- Extra Info
- Fungus gnats are pollinators that help spread plant pollen as well as mushroom spores.
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