Noon Fly vs Dark-winged Fungus Gnat

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Noon Fly Dark-winged Fungus Gnat
Scientific Name Mesembrina meridiana Sciara hemerobioides
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Muscidae Mycetophilidae
Size 10-13mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Farmland Woodlands
Diet Dung Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Noon Fly

A large stocky black fly with bright orange wing bases. It basks in sunshine on walls and fences at midday.

💡

Did You Know?

Named for its habit of basking in the midday sun, often sitting motionless on warm surfaces around noon.

Dark-winged Fungus Gnat

A small, dark fungus gnat with smoky wings and long slender antennae. Its larvae are known for forming spectacular marching columns of thousands of individuals.

💡

Did You Know?

Larvae form army-like processions of thousands marching in columns across forest floors, a phenomenon called 'Heerwurm' in German.