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Hi,

I found those larvae under the bark of a fallen tree in Brussels, Belgium.
Length : +- 10 mm


Sophie Leguil : Belgique : Bruxelles : 1160 : 08/03/2012
Altitude : NR - Taille : 10
Réf. : 82487

I can't choose between Sciaridae and Mycetophilidae, what are the distinctive features?

Thanks,
Sophie

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Look like Sciaridae. Sclerotized plates of the head capsule ventrally have different structure.
- Epicranial plates of head contact or close at one point, or widely separated on ventral side. If epicranial plates contact at 2 points, bordering oval median membranous area, then they contact anteriorly at significance distance (usually 1/3-1/2 of the head capsule). Body usually with thick, not transparent, cuticle. In fruiting bodies and on surface of fungi, on surface of decaying wood under cases, under bark, in wood pierched by mycelium …………………………….………Mycetophilidae
- Epicranial plates contact at 2 points on ventral side, anteriorly at short distance, bordering oval median membranous area. Larvae whitish or yellow, tranparent, with well developed black head. In soil rich with humus, in litter, under bark, in decaying wood ………………………………………………...…..Sciaridae

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Thanks for the help!