The truffle hunter: Meeting the mushroom-loving Suillia

Suillia is a diverse genus of shade-loving flies within the family Heleomyzidae, boasting over 130 described species worldwide. Several European species—such as Suillia tuberiperda—are famously known as “truffle flies.” Historically, professional truffle harvesters located valuable underground truffles by watching where these flies hovered over the soil. The vast majority of Suillia larvae develop inside mushrooms and decaying fungal matter, making them an integral part of woodland nutrient recycling. Under magnification, adults can be identified by a row of robust, prominent spines running along the leading edge of their wings. Unlike many flies that vanish in colder months, certain Suillia species remain active in damp woodlands or emerge during surprisingly chilly spells throughout the year. I spotted this tiny mushroom lover in forested areas throughout Sweden, including a nature reserve close to my home in Barkarby.

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