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Identify this pest - ?

  • Clicio
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Identify this pest - ? was created by Clicio

Posted 6 years 4 months ago #36631
Hello, all.

I have this tiny tiny flying insects, that look like black little flies, all around my seedlings (mainly organic soil).

Well, I don't know if they are harmful per se, but would love to know:
1-) What they are
2-) How to get rid of them, if they are harmful.
Could anyone help?

Sorry for the pictures, these flies really move very fast (or... fly around), and are very small.
Thanks in advance.

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  • leatherback
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Replied by leatherback on topic Identify this pest - ?

Posted 6 years 4 months ago #36634
Looks like they could be fungus gnats. A symbol of wet organic soil. They will kill your seedlings. :(
Do they also run like crazy on the soil?

Only way to get rid of them is an insecticide drench of the soil and -more permanent- let the soil dry out more. They come for the rotting organics, and stay for the young roots, which their larvea feast upon..
Last Edit:6 years 4 months ago by leatherback
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  • Clicio
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Replied by Clicio on topic Identify this pest - ?

Posted 6 years 4 months ago #36636

leatherback wrote: Looks like they could be fungus gnats. A symbol of wet organic soil. They will kill your seedlings. :(

OOOOPS! very bad news!

leatherback wrote: Do they also run like crazy on the soil?


Yes, they keep running, that's why it's so difficult to photograph them.

Leatherback, thanks a lot for your quick answer. I'll do my research, but to keep the soil dry in Brazil in the summer is almost impossible (in the shade).
I'll try, because I am right now full of seedlings of Eugenia Uniflora (Pitanga) and Delonix Regia (Flamboyant) and I definitely don't want to lose those!

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