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For example, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) is known to produce proteins that can kill fungus gnats larvae and some other insects like mosquitos. [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 17 ] BTI is a naturally occurring bacteria that has been used for decades—the United States EPA reports that it has no toxicity to humans. [ 20 ]
The larvae can also be carriers of diseases that infect plants, in some cases resulting in a total loss of crops. [3] Although fungus mosquitoes are generally more of an annoyance than a threat, their presence should be taken seriously and measures to control and eliminate this pest should be started as soon as possible after detection.
In general, gnats go through the four life stages of egg, larva, pupa and adult, [6] similar to other flies. The fungus gnats lay their eggs in moist organic debris or soil, which hatch into larvae. The larvae feed on organic matter such as leaf mold, mulch, compost, grass clippings, root hairs and fungi.
The larvae of fungus gnats live in the soil where they feed on fungi and organic matter, but they also eat plant roots. The larvae are thin maggots, with a shiny black head and long, whitish-to ...
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Most fungus gnats (Sciaroidea excluding Cecidomyiidae) live in forests with their larvae occurring in fungi, dead wood and soil. There are some which live in wetlands such as fens. [4] Several genera of Sciaridae and Mycetophilidae may reach high abundances in damp buildings with wet organic matter. [5]