The characteristics of the families Anisopodidae and Mycetophilidae (Insecta: Diptera)

Carlos Henrique Marchiori *

Department of Biological Science, Instituto Federal Goiano, Goias, Brazil.
 
Review
International Journal of Life Science Research Archive, 2023, 05(02), 096–108.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijlsra.2023.5.2.0106
Publication history: 
Received on 05 November 2023; revised on 19 December 2023; accepted on 22 December 2023
 
Abstract: 
The Anisopodidae is a cosmopolitan family of Diptera belonging to the mosquito group. The larvae live and feed on all types of decomposing material such as excrement, manure, vegetables, or dead wood. Adults are found mainly in summer in forests, meadows, and gardens, they are regularly seen on windows, both indoors and outdoors, which is why they have been called “window mosquitoes” or “wood mosquitoes”. Mycetophilidae in Brazil, this insect mainly damages ornamental plants and causes great damage. Also, in seedlings of different crops, such as citrus, tobacco, strawberry, and others. Many sites on the internet say that adults do not harm plants, but this is a mistake. Fungus gnats’ mosquitoes can cause great damage but in an indirect way. These little mosquitoes can carry harmful pathogens, that is, they can carry and spread diseases to your plants. The larvae can feed on the roots, and leaves and can even be found inside the stem, this is especially bad for young plants, such as seedlings, which have only a few delicate roots. Therefore, when you see two plants withering or turning yellow, this could be caused by fungus gnats (without roots the plant cannot absorb water or nutrients). The most common insect causing damage to greenhouses and indoor plants. The objective of the manuscript is to characterize the Anisopodidae and Mycetophilidae families. The bibliographic review methodology consists of a review of existing bibliographic material that concerns the subject to be studied. This is one of the main steps for any research and includes the selection of different sources of information, which can be collected in theoretical books; Banks of theses and dissertations from universities; Scientific articles; Scientific magazines; Documents; Websites; A bibliographic research methodology includes a set of phases that cover questions such as 1-Observation; Inquiry; Interpretation; Reflection; Analysis.
 
Keywords: 
Bibionomorpha; Damage; Fungus gnats; Larvae; Mosquitoes
 
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