Fungus Gnats

Family Mycetophilidae

Orfelia sp.. Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Adults are found in damp places and do not live very long. Many species feed at flowers. The larvae feed on decaying vegetation and fungi, and a few are predaceous. Because they feed on fungi some species are pests on mushroom farms. Mycetophilidae are small, slender to moderately robust flies. Many species are about the same size as a mosquito, but they have simple antennae and a humped thorax that hides the head from above. They have long legs, and stong bristles on the thorax and tibia.