Information from the Parks Department: Larvae of the armyworm midge in Chemnitz forests are important organisms
The Parks Department has taken observations made by observant forest walkers as an opportunity to provide the following information: The larval processions discovered by walkers on forest paths in Chemnitz forests are larval processions of the armyworm moth - not to be confused with the processions of the caterpillars of the oak processionary moth. The larvae of the fungus gnats are completely harmless to the forest as well as to humans and animals.
In some years there is particularly strong reproduction, so that a large number of larvae come together in metre-long larval trains. The slender, greyish-white and hairless larvae feed on organic material such as leaves, bark, dead wood or fungi and are therefore among the most important decomposing organisms in forests.
Fungus gnats prefer moist habitats such as forests, bogs or wet meadows. The mosquitoes have a slender, dark body and equally dark-coloured wings. Fungus gnats are characterised by their prancing flight.
The larval migrations can be observed until the larvae pupate, which takes place between July and August.