The number of Estonian black fungus gnats (Diptera, Sciaridae) doubled: the first records of 64 species

Abstract

Adult sciarid flies are small to medium-sized, delicate insects, typically black in colour and belonging to the superfamily Sciaroidea within the order Diptera. They exhibit a uniform appearance. Distinguishing them from other families of Sciaroidea is primarily achieved through their typical wing venation. Sciaridae are common in both natural and semi-natural ecosystems, where they play a significant role in decomposition during their larval stage. Prior to the current study, only one specific research project had been conducted on Sciaridae in Estonia. The number of sciarid species identified in Estonia was set at 67. This research, conducted in north-eastern Estonia during 2015 and 2016, presents a comprehensive overview of Sciaridae diversity, shedding light on previously understudied aspects of Estonia's biodiversity. A total of 1038 specimens were identified, representing 91 species, amongst which 64 were previously unknown to Estonia. Notably, Corynoptera winnertzi (Mohrig, 1993) emerged as the most abundant species, followed by Corynoptera irmgardis (Lengersdorf, 1930), Corynoptera crassistylata (Frey, 1948) and Bradysia trivittata (Staeger, 1840). The genus Corynoptera Winnertz, 1867 exhibited the highest diversity, consistent with findings from broader European studies. This study underscores the importance of ongoing surveys for better understanding the distribution and composition of Sciaridae species in Estonia, emphasising the need for further research to delve into the intricate ecology and biology of these insects.