Sun Gro’er Blog

Controlling Greenhouse UFP’s (Unidentified Flying Pests)

Small black flies on sticky pad
Image by UCONN IPM

Almost all greenhouse growers find themselves battling little black flying insects in their greenhouses at some point in their careers. Small black flying gnats can be shore flies (Ephydridae family) or fungus gnats (Sciaridae or Mycetophilidae families).
The shore flies are commonly found in greenhouses or nurseries where algae is growing on the soil surface or floor. They feed on algae and although they are a nuisance, they pose no threat to plants. Their larvae look like maggots and are wedge shaped. The adults look more like the common housefly flies with short bodies and small antennae. Continue reading “Controlling Greenhouse UFP’s (Unidentified Flying Pests)”