'Die Gnitzen (Diptera, Nematocera, Ceratopogonidae) eines
kleinen Waldbaches bei Bonn' -- subject(s): Ceratopogonidae,
Diptera
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D. A. Craig has written:
'A taxonomic revision of New Zealand Blepharoceridae and the
origin and evolution of the Australasian Blepharoceridae (Diptera:
Nematocera)' -- subject(s): Net-winged midges
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Yes, gnats [of the two winged suborder Nematocera] are herbivorous. They largely feed off plants, which they may damage considerably in the process. But there are some that also are carnivorous.
Gnats belong to the two winged order Diptera within the class Insecta. Within that order, they're members of the Nematocera suborder. That means that they're related most closely to mosquitoes [Culicidae], crane flies [Tipulidae], and black flies [Simuliidae].