What are flies?
There are several flies that are pests in agriculture, horticulture and mushroom cultivation. Species that can cause damage or nuisance, are particularly small flies of the families Sciaridae (sciarid flies) and Ephydridae (shore flies). The larvae of these insects generally live on rotting plant material and are mostly found in the soil. The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, has recently developed into a major pest on soft fruits in Europe and North America. Sciarid flies and shore flies are mainly a problem in greenhouses. Their larvae live in the ground and prefer moist substrates that is rich in organic matter. Although they cause little direct damage to plants, they are often a problem due to their large number. Larvae of flies of the family Keroplatidae (mainly Lyprauta sp.) can cause damage in potted orchids. The Spotted Wing Drosophila has recently invaded Europe and the Americas where it is causing serious damage to many soft fruit crops.
