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What is this insect?

Glittering_MGlittering_M Posts: 22
in Problem solving
Hello,
I noticed the other day that I have some flies on the plants I've moved into the porch. I've also moved them outside and also at times into my plastic greenhouse. Before that they were growing in the house so they could have come from anywhere. 

The photo isn't very good sorry, but they are small white with black stripes insects and they were all dead. 

Thank you!

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Looks like a hoverfly of some kind, but difficult to tell. They come in all sorts of sizes and colours, including black/white, and many folk mistake them for wasps or bees as yellow/black is the most common colour combo.  Someone else may be able to ID them accurately though   :)

    Did you see them when they were flying? Hoverflies - clue's in the title - they hover in mid air for quite long periods  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Glittering_MGlittering_M Posts: 22
    No, unfortunately I just saw them when they were dead on the soil. There were quite a few, probably 6 or so spread over a couple of plants.

    They are small, probably half a little fingernail size. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'll tag @wild edges and he may be able to help  :)

    Hoverflies can be very tiny though, but he has very good knowledge on insects so will be more useful than me .  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Glittering_MGlittering_M Posts: 22
    Thank you :)
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I'd hazard a guess at one of the fungus gnat species. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/fungus-gnats.htm
    It's hard to tell though sorry.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • Glittering_MGlittering_M Posts: 22
    Thank you! I'll go and have a look later and see if any are still there and if I can get a better photo.
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