Dark-Winged Fungus Gnats

Family Sciaridae

Sciara sp.. Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Adults are common around moist shady places. Most larvae live in fungi and some are pests in mushroom farms and greenhouses. Some feed on decaying plant material and others on animal dung. A few species feed on the root of plants, including house plants, where they can sometimes be pests in homes. Sciaridae are small black, brown or yellowish flies, usually with gray or brown clouded wings. They are similar to fungus gnats but are usually smaller.