Mycetophila (genus)
There are many species in this genus. They are very difficult to tell apart.
BioImages UK
Fungus Gnats are tiny
flies which look a lot like mosquitos, only much smaller.
Fungus Gnats usually grow to about 1/8 inch. Some of larger
ones can grow up to 1/4 inch. Their bodies are brown or gray
or yellowish, depending on the species. They all have one
pair of clear wings and a hairy thorax
(middle body section). Fungus Gnats live in
moist, dark woods. BioImages UK Some adult
Fungus Gnats feed on flower nectar,
but these insects do most of their eating as
larvae. Fungus Gnat
larvae
(young Fungus Gnats) eat fungi, decaying
wood, and wet plant material.
Copyright, Ari
Kornfeld Copyright, Ari
Kornfeld Adult Fungus Gnats are
active in the Summer. After mating, female gnats lay eggs on
fungus
or other food materials. Larvae hatch from the
eggs. Fungus Gnat larvae look a lot like maggots
(fly larvae) with small black heads. They immediately burrow
into the mushroom or other food source they were born
on. Larvae eat the insides of
the mushroom for about two weeks. Then they crawl out of the
food and find a place to become pupae
(resting stage, like a coccoon). Adult Fungus Gnats will
come out of their pupae if the weather is warm. Otherwise,
they will wait until the next Summer.
