Why does your Cymbidium elegans have tiny black flies? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
The larvae of these flies live in the organic substrate of Cymbidium orchids, feeding on decaying roots and fungal mycelium. They thrive in the consistently moist conditions required by Cymbidium elegans, especially if the bark mix is decomposing.
Small black flies may be attracted to the breakdown of organic matter within the orchid bark or pot debris. As Cymbidium orchid media ages, it becomes more acidic and nutrient-rich for larvae, attracting various scavenger species.
While not the direct cause of the flies, decaying roots caused by overwatering create a fermentation process that attracts much higher densities of fungus gnats. This creates a feedback loop where the symptom (flies) is exacerbated by the underlying pathology (rot).
Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues:
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