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General Characteristics:

- Usually 5mm or less. (1-11 mm)

- Small dark flies

- The larvae are white, slender, and legless with a black head

- Larvae have smooth semi-transparent skin revealing digestive tract contents.

Reproduction:

- Females lay 100-150 eggs in their 2- to 5-day existence

- Eggs hatch in 3-5 days and the larvae begin to feed immediately on organic matter near the soil surface

- Larvae reach maturity in about 2 weeks when they cease feeding, spin silken cocoons and pupate

- The pupal stage lasts less than a week

- The entire life cycle only lasts 4 weeks at greenhouse and house temperatures

- Overlapping generations can be present at the same time

Signs of Infestation:

- Moist, shady places are preferred

- Larvae found on fungi, decaying vegetation, or plant roots

- Sometimes abundant enough to form a crawling mass of several inches across and several feet long

- They can be pests in green houses or around potted plants

Control Techniques:

- Check plant potting soils and dispose of infested material accordingly

- Remove moisture from wet areas to eliminate breeding areas

- Insecticides such as dusts, wet table powders, microencapsulated products, or aerosols may be used ACCORDING TO LABEL SPECIFICATIONS AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS

Please click here to contact a Focus Pest Control professional to inquire about further treatments for this pest species.



References:

“Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet (Entomology)- Fungus Gnats” (On-line). Ohio State University Entomology. Accessed Jan. 14, 2010 at http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2114.html.

“Family Sciaridae (Dark-winged Fungus Gnats)” (On-line). Iowa State University Entomology. Accessed Jan.
6, 2010 at http://bugguide.net/node/view/7014.

Disclaimer:

The Focus Pest Control ‘Pest Library’ is an educational resource written largely to educate the general public about common pests in Ontario. The Focus ‘Pest Library’ does not include all species in Ontario, nor does it include the most recent scientific data about species we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While Focus Pest Control staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

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