Grass Flies or Frit Flies

Family Chloropidae

Epichlorops exilis. Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Chloropidae are found in a range of habitats but are most common in grassy places such as meadows, where the larvae of many species feed on grass stems. Some species are major pests of cereals. Other species are scavengers, parasitic or predaceous. Some species, called eye gnats, are attracted to sweaty skin or secretions of the eyes and small wounds. Chloropidae are small flies that have very few hairs on the body. This gives them a shiny appearance. Many species are coloured with yellow and black.