Sciaridae - Lycoriella sp.
Family Sciaridae
Lycoriella sp. Size: 1.99 mm Group Guild Status Eutroglophile Scavenger Common The initial study reported two unidentified species of dark-winged fungus gnats (family Sciaridae) in the cave. This Lycoriella species (Photo 1) is one of two sciarids that have been observed during the recent study. Sciarid larvae have been found in the bat guano (Maternity Roost site) on several occasions (Photo 2), and we assume both species breed there. Larvae, possibly of these flies, were reported in the initial study as occurring in the guano deposits between May and August. However, cecidomyiids were not reported in the initial study, although they were likely also present, and larvae of species in both of these families were and are likely present in the guano deposits. Larvae of the two families are easily separable, with the sciarids having a dark, well-defined sclerotized head capsule. Larvae of cecidomyiids have a smaller, less sclerotized, and less obvious head capsule (Gagné 1981). Specimens of sciarid larvae were sampled in September 2004 by KCSP staff. Adult sciarids are relatively common in the cave, and are often attracted to lights. |
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