sciarid flies

Damage:
Seedlings are nibbled off at the base of the stem or just below the soil level. Roots of cuttings are eaten away. Damaged plants may succumb to rot.

Life Cycle

Adult females lay their eggs in the surface layer of the soil, and although short-lived they can lay between 100 & 300 eggs during a week.

The eggs hatch into maggots, which  will eat rotting algae, compost, seedlings and cuttings.

The whole life cycle takes about 4 weeks at 20ºC (68ºF). 

Scairids can be present in the greenhouse or conservatory at any time of the year.

Biological Control of Sciarid Fly.

Sciarid flies can be controlled biologically inside by using their natural enemy, the predatory mite Hypoaspie miles.