Why does your Haworthia magnifica splendens have tiny black flies? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
The presence of tiny black flies in succulent soil is most commonly due to fungus gnats, which breed in the organic matter of damp potting media. Their larvae feed on decaying roots and fine root hairs, which can be particularly damaging to the delicate root systems of Haworthia magnifica.
The flies themselves are attracted to moisture and decaying organic matter within the substrate. If your Haworthia is planted in a mix with high peat or compost content that remains too wet, it creates a perfect breeding ground for pests.
While less common in strictly desert environments, fruit flies can be attracted to Haworthia if there is fermenting organic matter or nearby ripening fruit. They are often mistaken for fungus gnats but do not typically live in the soil.
Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues: