Most of the fungus gnats are female and can lay up to 300 eggs in the crevices of the soil, and the fungus gnat eggs will hatch into larvae within six days. Larvae are considered the most dangerous life stage to gardeners, because they cause root damage and are linked to the spread of fungal problems. Life Cycle. Fungus Gnats are small black flies that roam around the house predominantly in autumn and winter. Fungus gnat adults are weak fliers, typically flying in short, erratic patterns. In about 4-6 days these eggs hatch into larvae and begin snacking on the roots of your plants in the moisture rich soil. Fungus gnats quickly go through four stages of development. Adults are weak fliers and often found near light sources or along the soil surface. The gnats have a quick lifecycle and multiply prolifically. They are only seen as adults, since the other three stages of their life cycle are too small to … Fungus gnats develop in moist, often-shaded areas in decaying organic matter such as leaf litter. > Life cycle and general description of fungus gnats. Fungus Gnat Life Cycle. Life Cycle of Fungus Gnats. Adults emerge about one week later. The fungus gnat is about the same size as a fruit fly, and generally found attacking plants indoors. What's nice is the adult fungus gnat only lives around one week, but in that time they can lay up to 300 eggs each. The Diptera are insects that metamorphose, or alter shape, completely. In homes, they usually are seen in the near vicinity of an infested houseplant. They complete their life cycle in about four weeks depending on temperature and other environmental conditions. Fungus gnats can be annoying to gardeners, homeowners with indoor plants, and greenhouse operators. Although the adults are harmless, their larvae may begin to attack the roots when a large infestation is present. This video is a short presentation of the life cycle of the sciarid Bradysia ocellaris. Gnats have a short life cycle but reproduce prolifically. The fungus gnat life cycle is quick, and they can quickly take over your entire interior plants if they are left untreated. With a life span of about four weeks from egg to adult, each female can lay 200 to 300 eggs and cause havoc all year. Figure 2: Fungus gnat life cycle. Fungus Gnat Biology and Life Cycle. Gnats enjoy the damp places in the glasshouse. However, adult flies may disperse short distances and … The adults themselves generally do little harm; it is the larvae that do the damage. You may also see fungus gnats on cannabis. Fungus gnats are attracted to the moistness of potting soil, with the adults laying as many as 200 eggs near the surface in organic matter. 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