Fungus gnat

Sciaroidea
winged fungus gnat
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Hexapoda
Class:	Insecta
Subclass:	Pterygota
Infraclass:	Neoptera
Superorder:	Endopterygota
Order:	Diptera
Suborder:	Nematocera
Infraorder:	Bibionomorpha
Superfamily:	Sciaroidea

Fungus gnats are small, dark, short-lived flies, of the families Sciaridae, Diadocidiidae, Ditomyiidae, Keroplatidae, Bolitophilidae and Mycetophilidae (order Diptera), sometimes placed in the superfamily Mycetophiloidea, whose larvae feed on plant roots or fungi and aid in the decomposition of organic matter. The adults are 2-5 mm long, and are important pollinators, and can also help spread mushroom spores.

They can be controlled by Hypoaspis miles or the biological larvicide Bacillus Thuringiensis (subspecies Israelensis) that kills the gnats in their larval stage (which must be applied weekly as a soil drench for 4-5 weeks). Detergents and the nicotine from tobacco brewed into a toxic tea are used by some people to control fungus gnats. Another effective deterrent is a yearly bath in indesticidal soap and applying an indoor mulch to the top of your soil. Another organic repellent is the use of Neem oil as a soil drench (diluted 4 teaspoons per gallon of water and applied 3 ounces per square foot of soil).

In houseplants the presence of fungus gnats may indicate overwatering. They may be feeding on roots that have sat in drain water too long and are rotting or may be attracted to fungus growing in saturated top soil. Typically draining the excess water from the plants drain pan and allowing the soil to dry will eliminate them. Fungus gnats are typically harmless to healthy plants, while their presence can be indicative of more serious problems.

External links

• Fungus gnats on CultureSheet.org
• Picture and prevention methods

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