Udhagamandalam (Tamil Nadu), Jul 24 (PTI) The swarm of insects invading the habitations in certain portions of Nilgiris district, causing concern to people, has been identified as black-winged fungus gnats, an official said on Friday.
Though not harmful to humans, the fungus gnats have been increasing in Kotagiri and Coonoor, he said.
Locals have expressed concern over lakhs of black flies swarming their houses and shops, making eating or commuting rather difficult due to their unsual and sudden foray at nightfall.
A team of researchers identified the swarm of black-winged flies that invaded Kotagiri, Coonoor, and Selas as “harmless black-winged fungus gnats belonging to the Sciaridae family and they were not biting black flies.” “These insects do not bite or trasmit diseases though large number can disrupt local business and become a nuisance,” the official said.
Farmers and public in Selas near Coonoor in the district have demanded the officials to control the black flies as they were undergoing hardship due to the black flies which have also been invading Kunjappanai Aravenu area near Kotagiri in the district.
Similarly, the people in 20 villages around Selas in Coonoor have been suffering greatly due to the increased nuisance of the black flies during the night and morning hours, say villagers.
As lakhs of black flies settle on food items, houses, and vehicles, traders and farmers resorted to a one-day symbolic strike to condemn the district administration for failing to control the flies.
According to Entomologist and adviser, UPASI Tea Research Foundation, Coonoor, Azariah Babu, the fungus gnats that have been increasing in Kotagiri and Coonoor in recent times are not the dangerous black flies. They are said to be a nuisance as they gather in large numbers on water bodies and food items and commercial activities including restaurants have also been affected.
“The flies detected are generally known as black-winged fungus flies belonging to the family Sciaridae and do not pose any threat to human health. They are often found in moist soil and greenhouses,” Babu told PTI.
They lay eggs during monsoon and summer months, mostly in moist soil and decaying organic matter. Their life cycle lasts 21 to 28 days, during which they lay 100 to 200 small eggs, he said.
“The adult flies feed primarily on nectar and are said to be harmless. However, their larvae live in moist, organic-rich dung. These larvae are commonly found on fungi, decaying organic matter in commercial mushroom farms, and greenhouse plants,” he said.
The growth of these insects often starts in the affected potting soil. Since the “fungus flies” reproduce very quickly, it is difficult to completely eradicate them, he said.
“In order to address the menace, local bodies and district administrations should identify their breeding grounds to control them. The people should keep their surroundings clean and tidy and avoid dumping food wate in the open and around premises,” he suggested.
Adult fungus gnats can also be controlled by using yellow sticky traps/light traps to catch them, Babu added. PTI COR JSP JSP ROH
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