Fungus gnats (Mycetophilidae, Bolitophilidae, Ditomyiidae, Diadocidiidae, Keroplatidae, and Lygistorrhinidae) are a diverse and abundant group of insects in the order Diptera, suborder Nematocera. Adults are usually recognized by their hump-backed appearance, stout and elongate coxae and well-developed tibial spurs (Figs. 94–98 ). Fungus gnats are primarily forest dwellers but can be found in a variety of ecosystems, often in association with fungal habitats, although most of their natural history secrets remain untold. They occur on all continents except Antarctica. The adults often attain large populations and play an important role in the food web of forest environments.
An adult male fungus gnat, Mycetophila sp. (Mycetophilidae) (photo by P.H. Kerr).
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Kerr, P.H. (2008). Fungus Gnats (Diptera: Mycetophilidae and Others). In: Capinera, J.L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Entomology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_3920
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_3920
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