Mycetophilidae is a family of small flies, forming the bulk of those species known as fungus gnats. About 3000 described species are placed in 150 genera, but the true number of species is undoubtedly much higher. They are generally found in the damp habitats favoured by their host fungi and sometimes form dense swarms.[1]
Adults of this family can usually be separated from other small flies by the strongly humped thorax, well-developed coxae, and often spinose legs, but identification within the family between genera and species generally requires close study of microscopic features such as subtle differences in wing venation and variation in chaetotaxy and genitalia. The terrestriallarvae usually feed on fungi, especially the fruiting bodies, but also spores and hyphae, but some species have been recorded on mosses and liverworts. The larvae of some species, while still being associated with fungi, are at least partly predatory. Some species are attracted to the fungus smell of Jack-in-the-Pulpit, fall into their inflorescences and accomplish their pollination.
Adult Mycetophilidae sometimes gather in great numbers in various hiding places, under tree roots and holes, and in general they are the most common insects in our forests. However, due to their small size and inconspicuous coloration, they are rarely known or noticed. On the other hand, the larvae of mushroom eaters are known to all, since they form the main population of mushrooms with worms. In addition to the fruiting bodies of cap mushrooms, they also inhabit wood fungi and can be found under the bark of decaying trees. The diet of most larvae is exclusively fungal, but some members of this family are predators.[2] Adults do not cause damage to plants, but lay 2 small eggs on the surface of moist soil (5–8 cm). Larvae, translucent, legless worms with a black "head" measuring 8–10 mm, later emerge from the eggs. The mouthparts are gnawing. The larvae usually develop in soil on decaying plant tissue. However, under indoor conditions they often lack feeding substratum, so they gnaw at tender young roots and underground shoots of plants. This is the main hazard. The occurrence of large numbers of fungal mosquitoes in the garden will lead to an exponential increase in larval numbers, which in turn will result in root damage that leads to yellowing of leaves, loss of energy to the plant and often a significant reduction in garden productivity.
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.
Bioluminescenceedit
Around a dozen mycetophilid species are unique among flies in displaying bioluminescence.[4] In some species, this is restricted to the larval stage, but in others this feature is retained by the pupae and adults. The ability to produce their own light may be used by some predatory larvae as a lure for potential prey, although it also obviously makes them more susceptible to predation or parasitism. These are not mycetophilids sensu stricto, but belong to the family Keroplatidae.
Fossil recordedit
Mycetophilids, including some extant genera, are well represented in amber deposits and the group appears to have been well established and diversified by the Cretaceous period at the latest.
Taxonomyedit
Some 800 species (including some of the bioluminescent species) were split into a separate family by Tuomikoski (1966), Keroplatidae. This split is not universally recognized as yet, and many sources still include the keroplatid genera within the Mycetophilidae. Other recent families, included here in Mycetophilidae as they are not recognized by all workers are Ditomyiidae, Lygistorrhinidae, Diadocidiidae, and Rangomaramidae. The Mycetophilidae sensu lato contain about 330 described genera. These include:[1][5][6]
Evenhuis, N. L. 2006. Catalog of the Keroplatidae of the World (Insecta: Diptera). Bishop Museum Bulletin in Entomology 13. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 1–178.Online here
Referencesedit
^ abLoïc Matile (1999-09-20). "10. Family Mycetophylidae". Australasian/Oceanian Diptera Catalog — Web Version.
^"Pollination by fungus gnats and associated floral characteristics in five families of the Japanese flora". academic.oup.com. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
^John M. Sivinski (1998). "Phototropism, bioluminescence and the Diptera" (PDF). Florida Entomologist. The Florida Entomologist, Vol. 81, No. 3. 81 (3): 282–292. doi:10.2307/3495919. JSTOR 3495919.
^. Fauna Europaea. 2004. Archived from the original on December 23, 2005.
^. Nearctica. 1998. Archived from the original on 2011-01-14.
^ abMeunier, F. (1904). "Monographie des Cecidomyidae, des Sciaridae, des Mycetophilidae et des Chironomidae de l'ambre de la Baltique". Ann.Soc. Sci. Brux. (Mem.). 28: 12–92, 93–275.
External linksedit
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mycetophilidae, family, small, flies, forming, bulk, those, species, known, fungus, gnats, about, 3000, described, species, placed, genera, true, number, species, undoubtedly, much, higher, they, generally, found, damp, habitats, favoured, their, host, fungi, . Mycetophilidae is a family of small flies forming the bulk of those species known as fungus gnats About 3000 described species are placed in 150 genera but the true number of species is undoubtedly much higher They are generally found in the damp habitats favoured by their host fungi and sometimes form dense swarms 1 MycetophilidaeExechia spinuligeraScientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ArthropodaClass InsectaOrder DipteraInfraorder BibionomorphaSuperfamily SciaroideaFamily MycetophilidaeNewman 1834SubfamiliesGnoristinae Leiinae Manotinae Metanepsiinae Mycetophilinae Mycomyinae SciophilinaeDiversityca 150 generaFossil in Baltic amberAdults of this family can usually be separated from other small flies by the strongly humped thorax well developed coxae and often spinose legs but identification within the family between genera and species generally requires close study of microscopic features such as subtle differences in wing venation and variation in chaetotaxy and genitalia The terrestrial larvae usually feed on fungi especially the fruiting bodies but also spores and hyphae but some species have been recorded on mosses and liverworts The larvae of some species while still being associated with fungi are at least partly predatory Some species are attracted to the fungus smell of Jack in the Pulpit fall into their inflorescences and accomplish their pollination Contents 1 Description 2 Bioluminescence 3 Fossil record 4 Taxonomy 5 Gallery 6 Catalogues 7 References 8 External linksDescription editAdult Mycetophilidae sometimes gather in great numbers in various hiding places under tree roots and holes and in general they are the most common insects in our forests However due to their small size and inconspicuous coloration they are rarely known or noticed On the other hand the larvae of mushroom eaters are known to all since they form the main population of mushrooms with worms In addition to the fruiting bodies of cap mushrooms they also inhabit wood fungi and can be found under the bark of decaying trees The diet of most larvae is exclusively fungal but some members of this family are predators 2 Adults do not cause damage to plants but lay 2 small eggs on the surface of moist soil 5 8 cm Larvae translucent legless worms with a black head measuring 8 10 mm later emerge from the eggs The mouthparts are gnawing The larvae usually develop in soil on decaying plant tissue However under indoor conditions they often lack feeding substratum so they gnaw at tender young roots and underground shoots of plants This is the main hazard The occurrence of large numbers of fungal mosquitoes in the garden will lead to an exponential increase in larval numbers which in turn will result in root damage that leads to yellowing of leaves loss of energy to the plant and often a significant reduction in garden productivity 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 Bioluminescence editAround a dozen mycetophilid species are unique among flies in displaying bioluminescence 4 In some species this is restricted to the larval stage but in others this feature is retained by the pupae and adults The ability to produce their own light may be used by some predatory larvae as a lure for potential prey although it also obviously makes them more susceptible to predation or parasitism These are not mycetophilids sensu stricto but belong to the family Keroplatidae Fossil record editMycetophilids including some extant genera are well represented in amber deposits and the group appears to have been well established and diversified by the Cretaceous period at the latest Taxonomy editSome 800 species including some of the bioluminescent species were split into a separate family by Tuomikoski 1966 Keroplatidae This split is not universally recognized as yet and many sources still include the keroplatid genera within the Mycetophilidae Other recent families included here in Mycetophilidae as they are not recognized by all workers are Ditomyiidae Lygistorrhinidae Diadocidiidae and Rangomaramidae The Mycetophilidae sensu lato contain about 330 described genera These include 1 5 6 Acnemia Meigen 1818 Acomopterella Zaitzev 1989 Acrodicrania Skuse 1888 Adicroneura Vockeroth 1980 Afrocnemia Matile 1998 Agaromya Rondani 1861 Aglaomyia Vockeroth 1980 Alavamanota Blagoderov amp Arillo 2002 Allactoneura Meijere 1907 Allocotocera Mik 1886 Allodia Winnertz 1863 Allodiopsis Tuomikoski 1966 Anaclileia Meunier 1904 7 Anatella Winnertz 1863 Aneura Marshall 1896 Anomalomyia Hutton 1904 Aphrastomyia Coher amp Lane 1949 Apolephthisa Grzegorzek 1885 Archaeboletina Meunier 1904 7 Armbrusteleia Evenhuis 1994 Aspidionia Colless 1966 Atalosciophila Ren 1995 Ateleia Skuse 1888 Austrosciophila Tonnoir 1929 Austrosynapha Tonnoir 1929 Aysenmyia Duret 1979 Azana Walker 1856 Baeopterogyna Vockeroth 1972 Baisodicrana Blagoderov 1995 Boletina Staeger 1840 Boletiniella Matile 1973 Bolithomya Rondani 1856 Boraceomyia Lane 1948 Brachydicrania Skuse 1888 Brachypeza Winnertz 1863 Brachyradia Sevcik amp Kjaerandsen 2012 Brevicornu Marshall 1896 Caledonileia Matile 1993 Callicypta Lane 1954 Cawthronia Tonnoir amp Edwards 1927 Celebesomyia Saigusa 1973 Chalastonepsia Soli 1996 Clastobasis Skuse 1890 Cluzobra Edwards 1940 Coelophthinia Edwards 1941 Coelosia Winnertz 1863 Cordyla Meigen 1803 Cowanomyia Jaschhof amp Jaschhof 2009 Creagdhubhia Chandler 1999 Cycloneura Marshall 1896 Deimyia Kallweit 2002 Dianepsia Loew 1850 Dinempheria Matile 1979 Disparoleia Blagoderov amp Grimaldi 2004 Docosia Winnertz 1863 Dongbeimyceta Hong 2002 Drepanorzeckia Blagoderov 1997 Duretophragma Borkent 2013 Dynatosoma Winnertz 1863 Echinopodium Freeman 1951 Ectrepesthoneura Enderlein 1910 Ekhiritus Blagoderov 1995 Eoexechia Camier amp Nel 2020 Eomyceta Hong 2002 Eosciophila Hong 1974 Epicypta Winnertz 1863 Eudicrana Loew 187 Eumanota Edwards 1933 Exechia Winnertz 1863 Exechiites Blagoderov 2000 Exechiopsis Tuomikoski 1966 Fushunoboleta Hong 2002 Gaalomyia Blagoderov amp Grimaldi 2004 Garrettella Vockeroth 1980 Gnoriste Meigen 1818 Gracilileia Matile 1993 Greenomyia Brunetti 1912 Gregikia Blagoderov amp Grimaldi 2004 Grzegorzekia Edwards 1941 Hadroneura Lundstrom 1906 Hemisphaeronotus Saigusa 2007 Hemolia Blagoderov amp Grimaldi 2004 Impleta Plassmann 1978 Indoleia Edwards 1928 Ipsaneusidalys Blagoderov 1998 Izleiina Blagoderov amp Grimaldi 2004 Jugazana Coher 1995 Katatopygia Martinsson amp Kjaerandsen 2012 Lecadonileia Blagoderov amp Grimaldi 2004 Leia Meigen 1818 Leiella Enderlein 1910 Leptomorphus Curtis 1831 Loewiella Meunier 1894 Lusitanoneura Ribeiro amp Chandler 2007 Macrobrachius Macrocera Macrorrhyncha Manota Megalopelma Megophthalmidia Micromacrocera Monoclona Morganiella Mycetophila Mycomya Myrosia Neoallocotocera Neoaphelomera Neoclastobasis Neoempheria Neotrizygia Neuratelia Notolopha Novakia Orfelia Palaeodocosia Paleoplatyura Paracycloneura Paraleia Paramorganiella Paratinia Paratrizygia Parvicellula Phoenikiella Phronia Phthinia Platurocypta Platyura Polylepta Pseudalysiina Pseudexechia Pseudobrachypeza Pseudorymosia Rondaniella Rymosia Saigusaia Sceptonia Sciophila Sigmoleia Speolepta Stenophragma Sticholeia Stigmatomeria Symmerus Synapha Synplasta Syntemna Tarnania Tasmanina Taxicnemis Tetragoneura Trichonta Trichoterga Trizygia Xenoplatyura Zygomyia ZygophroniaGallery edit nbsp Mycetophila fungorum De Geer 1776 nbsp Neoempheria pictipennis Haliday 1833 nbsp Mycetophila sp source source source source source source Leia sp male source source source source source source Sceptonia sp nbsp Leia bivittata nbsp Trichonta sp nbsp Phronia sp female nbsp Phronia male inside Jack in the pulpit flower nbsp Trichonta inside Jack in the pulpit flowerCatalogues editEvenhuis N L 2006 Catalog of the Keroplatidae of the World Insecta Diptera Bishop Museum Bulletin in Entomology 13 Bishop Museum Press Honolulu 1 178 Online hereReferences edit a b Loic Matile 1999 09 20 10 Family Mycetophylidae Australasian Oceanian Diptera Catalog Web Version Mycetophilidae sciencedirect com Retrieved 2022 10 29 Pollination by fungus gnats and associated floral characteristics in five families of the Japanese flora academic oup com Retrieved 2022 10 29 John M Sivinski 1998 Phototropism bioluminescence and the Diptera PDF Florida Entomologist The Florida Entomologist Vol 81 No 3 81 3 282 292 doi 10 2307 3495919 JSTOR 3495919 Mycetophilidae Fauna Europaea 2004 Archived from the original on December 23 2005 Nomina Diptera M P Nearctica 1998 Archived from the original on 2011 01 14 a b Meunier F 1904 Monographie des Cecidomyidae des Sciaridae des Mycetophilidae et des Chironomidae de l ambre de la Baltique Ann Soc Sci Brux Mem 28 12 92 93 275 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mycetophilidae Fungus Gnats Online Diptera info Images Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mycetophilidae amp oldid 1180499655, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
