Midge

Midges are not plant pests and do not cause damage to herbs. They are commonly found in glasshouses, often in small swarms above damp areas. The adult has a narrow black body and 'bottle-brush' antennae, fringed with long hairs.

Moth or drain fly

Moth flies do not damage herbs but can be an occasional contaminant on pot herbs. The adult has a fat grey body and wings, both covered with dense hairs, giving it a ' furry' appearance.

Sciarid fly (fungus gnat), Bradysia paupera

Sciarid fly larvae can cause damage to young herb seedlings. The adult is 2 - 4 mm long and more delicate than a shore fly and with longer, beaded antennae.

The sciarid fly wing (right) are very characteristic, having a central vein that forks in a Y shape, to meet the wing tip at two points.

Shore fly

A small chunky dark fly about 4 mm from tip of head to end of wings, often seen sitting on plants, compost or substrate. The antennae are short and stubby and each wing has five pale spots.