Pollinators:
Bumblebees
Bumblebee
box
Danger to crops:
Aphids
(1)
Aphids
(2)
Butterflies/
Moths
Leaf
miners
Mealy
bugs
Sciarid
flies
Spider
Thrips
Whiteflies
Sciaridae
Photo: Larva of a
Sciarid fly
Damage picture: the larvae can cause direct damage, gnawing at, or even boring through roots and stems. Indirect damage is caused by the larvae, transmitting eelworms, mites, fungus spores and viruses.
CROP PROTECTING AGENTS
HYPOASPIS miles and aculeifer
The nymphs and adults of these
soil predatory mites feed on the eggs and larvae of the
sciarid fly. However they prefer the smaller larvae.
Photo: Hypoaspis miles
STEINERNEMA
feltiae
This is a common
eelworm, capable of parasitizing the sciarid fly, and
also other insects. When sciarid fly larvae have been
infected by Steinernema, their colour turns opaque
yellowish white.