Moth Fly Larvae In Water
Moth flies or Drain flies Moth flies or Drain flies (Psychoda sp.) In nature, moth fly larvae normally occur in aquatic habitats that experience intermittent submersion. They reproduce in polluted, shallow water or highly moist organic solids where they feed on decaying organic material in mud, moss or water. In homes, the adult flies are most likely found on the walls of the bathrooms.
Psychodidae, also called drain flies, sink flies, filter flies, [2] sewer flies, or sewer gnats, is a family of true flies. Some genera have short, hairy bodies and wings, giving them a "furry" moth-like appearance, hence one of their common names, moth flies. [2] Members of the sub-family Phlebotominae, which are hematophagous (feed on blood), may be called sand flies in some countries.
The drain fly life cycle takes from about 10 to 15 days at about 70° F. Groups of eggs are laid on gelatinous films of organic matter. The larvae can develop in water or thin surface films.
Drain flies (Psychodidae family) are tiny flies that feed on sludge and stagnant water. To get rid of them, find the source and clean it up. Drain flies breed in polluted, shallow water or highly moist organic solids.
You will find the eggs, larvae and pupae in the muck, slime, or gelatinous film often accumulating on the sides of drains (Figure 3) and condensate pipes for air conditioners (Figure 4), in the sewage filtration tanks, septic tanks and moist compost. Other breeding sites include dirty garbage containers, rain barrels. It is often stated that moth fly larvae develop in the slime layers above the water line in various plumbing traps, but this is not always true.
Some structure infesting moth fly larvae and pupae can live freely in foul water similar to mosquito larvae and pupae. Scientific Name Psychoda sp. Habitat Breeds in sewage filter plants and is often called a drain fly.
It also breeds in moist areas in the house such as clogged overflow pipes of sinks and tubs, hence the name drain fly. Life Cycle Drain flies reproduce in polluted, shallow water or highly moist organic solids. The eggs, larvae and pupae can be found in the slime, or gelatinous film.
This guide details how to identify the larvae and provides targeted methods to remove them. Identifying Gnat Larvae: Appearance and Common Habitats The term "gnat" usually refers to one of two common household pests whose larvae thrive in damp conditions: the Fungus Gnat or the Drain Gnat (Moth Fly). LIFE CYCLE Like all flies, moth flies undergo com-plete metamorphosis with egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages.
Female moth flies lay eggs in moist to nearly satu-rated organic matter. In an urban envi-ronment, moth fly development often occurs in the slimy organic matter coat-ing sink or shower drains, giving these flies an alternate common name "drain flies" used by many pest management. Drain fly larvae and pupae live in the thin film found in drains and septic tank field lines and on filter stones.
The larvae feed on fungi, bacteria, algae and other microorganisms found in the liquid or slime layers that develop around debris in drains, sewage treatment beds and standing water.