Gnats

Family

Sciaridae

Order

Diptera

genus

Bradysia

Class

Insecta

species

Dipterid

about

Gnats are small flies with very long legs and antennae. They can be found in households especially in the cold winter months. There are different types of gnats including fungus gnats, drain flies, fruit flies, sand flies, eye gnats, and more!

habitat

Gnats can be found in different habitats. The non-biting gnats usually live near water, in moist coastal regions. These gnats enjoy living in wet soils. Other species of gnats can often be found in trash cans, rotting fruit, and other places with decomposing items. Some can even be found near drains, sinks, and toilets.

diet

Gnats feed themselves and live on rotten or decaying substances such as dried leaves, bad seeds, fungus, flies, insects, and decaying animals. Male gnats primarily live on nectar and flower juice.

Fun Facts

Female gnats can lay up to 300 eggs in a day!

They use dead or decayed insects or small animals as safe spaces for laying eggs and providing the eggs with nourishment.

Only the female gnats bite! Their bite is painful and it can transfer infections to the skin of both humans and wild animals.

download our gnats field guide

Learn at home, in your classroom or on-the-go with our end use materials and templates. In each field guide, you will learn more about a featured flora and fauna from our monthly expedition crates.

You’ll find information about anatomy, lifecycles, matching exercises, flash cards, and downloadable posters.