Adults are weak fliers and often found near light sources or along the soil surface. They complete their life cycle in about four weeks depending on temperature and other environmental conditions. The fungus gnat life cycle is quick, and they can quickly take over your entire interior plants if they are left untreated. Figure 2: Fungus gnat life cycle. The gnats have a quick lifecycle and multiply prolifically. Larvae are considered the most dangerous life stage to gardeners, because they cause root damage and are linked to the spread of fungal problems. Reproduction and Life Cycle of Fungus Gnats. You may also see fungus gnats on cannabis. The Diptera are insects that metamorphose, or alter shape, completely. Gnats enjoy the damp places in the glasshouse. Adult fungus gnats are small (1/8 inch long), black-gray flies with long legs, many segmented antennae and a single pair of grayish transparent wings with a Y-shaped vein near the wing tip. Gnats have a short life cycle but reproduce prolifically. However, adult flies may disperse short distances and … Fungus gnats quickly go through four stages of development. With a life span of about four weeks from egg to adult, each female can lay 200 to 300 eggs and cause havoc all year. The breeding and reproduction patterns are reasons to eliminate gnats as soon as possible. Life Cycle of Fungus Gnats. The fungus gnat is about the same size as a fruit fly, and generally found attacking plants indoors. Life Cycle - Up to thirty days. > Life cycle and general description of fungus gnats. Fungus gnat adults are weak fliers, typically flying in short, erratic patterns. Fungus Gnats are small black flies that roam around the house predominantly in autumn and winter. This video is a short presentation of the life cycle of the sciarid Bradysia ocellaris. Fungus gnats can be annoying to gardeners, homeowners with indoor plants, and greenhouse operators. Fungus gnats are attracted to the moistness of potting soil, with the adults laying as many as 200 eggs near the surface in organic matter. In about 4-6 days these eggs hatch into larvae and begin snacking on the roots of your plants in the moisture rich soil. Although the adults are harmless, their larvae may begin to attack the roots when a large infestation is present. The adults themselves generally do little harm; it is the larvae that do the damage. Fungus Gnat Biology and Life Cycle. Fungus gnats develop in moist, often-shaded areas in decaying organic matter such as leaf litter. Life Cycle. In homes, they usually are seen in the near vicinity of an infested houseplant. The female can lay up to thirty eggs a day - two hundred in total. Fungus gnats are not the same as fruit flies, but copy them very closely. What's nice is the adult fungus gnat only lives around one week, but in that time they can lay up to 300 eggs each. 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