Adult female fungus gnats are particularly attracted to breeding areas that have rich, organic materials and high moisture content – – precisely the conditions of indoor potted plants.
Females lay up to 100 to 300 eggs in 2 to 30 batches in decaying organic matter on the moist soil surface or in soil cracks.
Eggs hatch in 4 to 6 days
Fungus gnat larvae feed for 12 to 14 days on fungi and decaying organic matter, root hairs, and small feeder roots.
The pupal stage is completed in about 5 to 6 days.
Newly emerged adult fungus gnats live about 7 to 10 days.
At room temperatures between 65°F to 75°F, the fungus gnats complete their life cycle in 3-4 weeks, with continuous reproduction where warm temperatures are available.
There are many overlapping generations per year.