Insect identifier · Often confused insects
How to identify a Fungus gnat
Sciaridae
· Also called plant gnat, soil gnat
People search “fungus gnat” because it looks like something that bites. Fungus gnat (Sciaridae) does not bite or sting people. Also called plant gnat, soil gnat.
Gnats at the monstera are not mosquitoes.
What does a fungus gnat look like?
Fungus gnat is About 2–4 mm. Colors: black, gray. Marks: Tiny dark fly; Near houseplants; Weak flight; Larvae in soil.
Fungus gnat is About 2–4 mm. Colors: black, gray. Marks: Tiny dark fly; Near houseplants; Weak flight; Larvae in soil.
Identification marks
- Tiny dark fly
- Near houseplants
- Weak flight
- Larvae in soil
Size: About 2–4 mm
Colors: black, gray
Where: indoor
Fungus gnat vs Fruit fly
Houseplant = fungus gnat. Fruit bowl = fruit fly. Outdoor dusk bite = no-see-um.
- Fruit fly identification (Drosophila spp.)
- No-see-um identification (Culicoides spp.)
Range and season
Active year-round indoors. Places: house, houseplant. Weak fliers from wet potting soil. They do not bite.
Overwatered houseplants.
Weak fliers from wet potting soil. They do not bite.
Year-round indoors
Common questions
Do fungus gnats bite?
No.