Sciaroidea

Definition

A superfamily of nematoceran flies (Diptera: Bibionomorpha) comprising approximately 16 families and over 15,000 described species, including the fungus gnats (Mycetophilidae, Keroplatidae), dark-winged fungus gnats (Sciaridae), and gall midges (Cecidomyiidae). Members are generally small, delicate flies with reduced wing venation; larvae occupy diverse microhabitats including decaying wood, fungal fruiting bodies, soil, and plant tissues, with many species forming mutualisms, commensalisms, or parasitic relationships with fungi or plants.

Etymology

From Greek skiaros (shadowy, dusky) + -oidea (resembling), alluding to the small, often somber-colored adults.

Example

The superfamily Sciaroidea dominates the dipteran fauna of temperate forest floor communities, where keroplatid and mycetophilid larvae prey on or consume fungal mycelia, while sciarid larvae frequently become pests in greenhouse mushroom cultivation.

Related Terms

• Bibionomorpha
• Mycetophilidae
• Sciaridae
• Cecidomyiidae
• Keroplatidae
• fungus gnat
• Gall midge
• Nematocera

Usage Notes

Sciaroidea is sometimes treated as paraphyletic or polyphyletic in molecular phylogenies, with relationships among constituent families (particularly the placement of Cecidomyiidae) remaining active areas of research. The superfamily is distinguished from other Bibionomorpha (Bibionoidea, Tabanomorpha relatives) by larval association with fungi or plant tissues rather than aquatic or predatory habits. In older literature, 'Sciaroidea' may be used more narrowly to exclude Cecidomyiidae.