Common blue butterfly, Polyommatus icarus, on lavender Credit Hayley Wiswell
Common blue butterfly, Polyommatus icarus, on lavender Credit Hayley Wiswell
We have published handbooks for the identification of British insects since 1949.
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Fungus gnats (Diptera: Mycetophilidae, Mycetophilinae)

This handbook covers the British species of the subfamily Mycetophilinae of the family Mycetophilidae, commonly known as the fungus gnats. Most fungus gnats are found in forests and other wooded habitats, as might be expected since the larval development of many species is dependent on saproxylic or mycorrhizal fungi. Fungus gnats may be found throughout the year, their relative abundance affected by prevailing weather conditions and the consequent effect on the availability of fungus hosts.

Cover illustration Dynatosoma fuscicorne by Klaus-Uwe Gnaß