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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » "Nematocera" (Non-Brachycera) » Bibionomorpha » Dark-winged Fungus Gnats (Sciaridae)
Photo#330862
Office resident
Copyright © 2009 Emma

Office resident
Winter Haven, Polk County, Florida, USA
September 8, 2009
Size: Smaller than a pin head
There are several of these "knats" flying around the office. They tend to buzz around my head in an erratic pattern. We have checked everywhere for a source of food for these guys, but to no avail. The other women want to bomb the office just for a few of these little ones. We do have a few indoor plants around the office, and I'm wondering if they may be coming from them.
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Contributed by Emma on 9 September, 2009 - 7:56am
Last updated 9 September, 2009 - 11:46am

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Ron M., 9 September, 2009 - 11:46am login or register to post comments

Fungus gnat
It looks like a Dark-winged Fungus Gnat (Sciaridae). Some breed in potted plants. These are hard to ID past family. If the wings are hairy, as they appear to be, that narrows down the possible genera.

They are harmless.
… John F. Carr, 9 September, 2009 - 8:00am login or register to post comments

 
Agree with ID, plus....
You can simply not water the plants so much, and/or sprinkle a fine layer of sand on top. That is enough to make it too difficult for the female flies to lay their eggs in the potting soil. The adult flies live only 2-3 days, though, so they shouldn't be a nuisance for long. They do not bite, just annoying:-)
… Eric R. Eaton, 9 September, 2009 - 9:59am login or register to post comments

 
Thanks!
Do you know the best way to keep them out of the plants, other than getting rid of the plants?
… Emma, 9 September, 2009 - 9:57am login or register to post comments

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