Mycetophila cingulum
This fungus gnat has an orange thorax and pale legs with long hairs. The wings are distinctively marked, but there are other very similar species and detailed examination is required for a reliable identification. We have to thank Dr Tony Irwin and National expert Peter Chandler for their hard work in identifying this species for us.
Associated with the fungus Polyporus squamosus.
Summer.
The legless larvae leap distances up to 20 times their body length. Leaping occurs during the prepupal stage when larvae disperse from the host fungus, Polyporus squamosus to pupate. To achieve this, the larva curls into a tight loop and snaps forward, catapulting itself as much as 15 cm.
Widespread and probably fairly frequent in Britain, although it is poorly recorded.
Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.
Graham Calow
Sapcote garden1
13 June 2015
male - specimen examined
Graham Calow
Sapcote garden1
13 June 2015
male - specimen examined
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Species profile
- Species group:
- Craneflies, Gnats & Midges
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Diptera
- Family:
- Mycetophilidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 1
- First record:
- 13/06/2015 (Calow, Graham)
- Last record:
- 13/06/2015 (Calow, Graham)
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% of records within its species group
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