Tiny black mystery flies (not gnats)

[darlingi]

My recently set up sling enclosures seem to attract all kinds of unwanted guests.
That’s probably because the moisture didn’t sink down as well as usual, leaving a moist top layer in one part of the enclosure.

Having many houseplants, I have always dealt with gnats. I know how they look and act, but these small flies (or other insects) are a mystery to me. They jump like springtails but have wings. Their bodies are pretty elongated but not quite as much as gnats and they lack the typical long legs. Right now I’m just worried that it might be some kind of winged ant.
Does anybody have an idea what it could be?

 

[Lucky123]

My recently set up sling enclosures seem to attract all kinds of unwanted guests.
That’s probably because the moisture didn’t sink down as well as usual, leaving a moist top layer in one part of the enclosure.

Having many houseplants, I have always dealt with gnats. I know how they look and act, but these small flies (or other insects) are a mystery to me. They jump like springtails but have wings. Their bodies are pretty elongated but not quite as much as gnats and they lack the typical long legs. Right now I’m just worried that it might be some kind of winged ant.
Does anybody have an idea what it could be?

Sorry that I don't have an answer but I have seen these before to me they always looked like some kind of wasp but dont act like it, I seen them hanging around fruit fly enclosures and in compost. I'll let you know if I find out.

 

[darlingi]

Sorry that I don't have an answer but I have seen these before to me they always looked like some kind of wasp but dont act like it, I seen them hanging around fruit fly enclosures and in compost. I'll let you know if I find out.

No worries, it’s good to know I’m not the only one.
I have searched for them on Google all day, but haven’t even considered wasps so far.
The body shape indeed looks quite similar to some small wasps.
My best guess so far are blackflies. But I’m really not sure. Blackflies bite and I haven’t directly experienced that so far, but I’ve had problems with urticaria over the last 2-3 months. I think it’s unlikely that they are the cause though, even if they were blackflies, since I discovered some new allergies.
Anyway, I’m just hoping they’re not ants.
I don’t think they look like ants, especially since they don’t have the legs spread out like ants. But I also don’t know anything about ants, so maybe there is a species that looks like this.

 

[douglas weird]

I'm no expert but could it be Nasonia? They are very tiny parasitoid wasps that lay eggs on fly larva.

 

[darlingi]

I'm no expert but could it be Nasonia? They are very tiny parasitoid wasps that lay eggs on fly larva.

I can only find macro shots of Nasonia, but they definitely look similar. From what I’ve read they usually lay eggs in the larvae of bigger flies, but I don’t have those at all in my apartment. Maybe they can also use the fungus gnats as a host? I couldn’t find anything about that connection though.

I just hope they pose no danger to my T‘s.
But from my understanding, most parasites are highly specialized so I guess it’s unlikely they will attack my T‘s.

 

[douglas weird]

I just found this:

Parasitic Wasp of Fungus Gnats - Synacra pauperi

Synacra pauperi is a naturally occurring parasite of fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.) that is found in greenhouses. Adults are approximately the same size as fungus gnats (1/8 inch long). You will see a noticeable constriction between the head and thorax and between the thorax and abdomen. The...

ag.umass.edu

 

[darlingi]

I just found this:

Parasitic Wasp of Fungus Gnats - Synacra pauperi

Synacra pauperi is a naturally occurring parasite of fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.) that is found in greenhouses. Adults are approximately the same size as fungus gnats (1/8 inch long). You will see a noticeable constriction between the head and thorax and between the thorax and abdomen. The...

ag.umass.edu

Thank you!!! This could very well be what I’m dealing with. Tomorrow I’ll try to look at it under the microscope to confirm it.

 

[darlingi]

Sorry that I don't have an answer but I have seen these before to me they always looked like some kind of wasp but dont act like it, I seen them hanging around fruit fly enclosures and in compost. I'll let you know if I find out.

In case you're still interested in what it is; I'm 99% sure now that it is some kind of parasitoid wasp. Most likely the one @douglas weird mentioned. Here are some pictures I just took with a cheap microscope:

 

[Lucky123]

In case you're still interested in what it is; I'm 99% sure now that it is some kind of parasitoid wasp. Most likely the one @douglas weird mentioned. Here are some pictures I just took with a cheap microscope:

I bet you they prey on flies, i've seen them on my fruit fly cultures, and also in compost near fungus gnats.