PESTWEST.COM | INSECT IDENTIFICATION

Lesser Housefly

Fannia canicularis

Identification

Adult is 3.5 - 6mm.
Has 3 brown stripes on the thorax.
Abdomen has yellow margin.

Characteristics

Like to live in decaying organic debris, including carcasses, and animal manure
Found often in food service facility bathrooms

Control

Sanitation is the key.
Bio-remediation of harborage or attractants.
Insect light traps.
Drying the areas of breeding.

Image supplied by: Creative Common Permission

Blowfly

Calliphora spp.

Identification

Adults are 10-12mm.
Have a dull thorax with a metallic abdomen.

Characteristics

Often used in deciding time of death in crime scene investigation.
1100 species worldwide.

Control

Sanitation as in removal of breeding material (carcasses).
Removal of the dirt or area adjacent if available.
Insect light traps.

Image supplied by: Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org

Cluster Fly

Pollenia rudis

Identification

Adults are 7-9mm.
Has distinct stripes on the thorax with golden hairs.
Gray pattern to the abdomen.

Characteristics

Parasitize earthworms
Found in large numbers in attics and voids during cold weather/winter months

Control

Insect light traps are very effective.
Protection through sealing and treatment of openings leading to void areas can sometimes be effective.

Image supplied by: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

Fungus Gnat

Sciara sp.

Identification

Adults are small 3-5mm.
Dark in color almost black.

Characteristics

Pollinators.
Larvae feed on fungi, frequently associated with plant roots, aid in decomposition.
Typically found in overwatered houseplants.

Control

Look at plants with secondary decorative pots.
Look for plants inside that were recently brought indoors or have had potting soil changed recently.

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Fruit Fly

Drosophila melanogaster

Identification

Adults are 4-6mm.
Tan color with abdominal stripes.
Red eyes.
First set of cells on the wings are thickened.

Characteristics

A fly which is widely used by universities and genetic laboratories throughout the world

Control

Sanitation is the key.
Bio-remediation used in all areas of attractants and breeding sites.
Insect light traps.

Image supplied by: Creative Commons Permissions

Mosquitoes

F. Culicidae

Identification

Adults vary in size 5-16mm.
Scaled wings and body.
Slender body with long legs.

Characteristics

Vectors of many human and animal diseases.
Immature stages live in a variety of moist environments.

Control

Drain water in containers and pool areas.
Be sure screens are in good shape.
Keep vegetation to manageable levels, especially next to water.
Use protective creams containing DEET on the outside.

Green Bottle Fly

Lucilia sericata

Identification

Adults are 10-14mm.
Metallic color with red eyes.
Wings are clear with brown veins.

Characteristics

Live in organic debris and necrotic tissue.
Used for maggot therapy because of their propensity to feed on dead tissue.

Control

Sanitation is the key.
Bio-remediation of the attractants and breeding areas.
Insect light traps.

House Fly

Musca domestica

Identification

Adults are 6-9mm
4 longitudinal stripes on their thorax.
Underside of the abdomen is yellow.
Red compound eyes (males are closer together).
4th Large wing vein has a sharp upward bend.

Characteristics

Live in moist organic debris.
Capable of carrying and possibly transferring over 100 diferent human pathogens.
The life cycle speeds up in warmer temperatures.

Control

Sanitation is the key.
Bio-remediation to reduce attractants and breeding areas.
Insect light traps are very effective.

Image supplied by: Clemson University, USDA Cooperative Extension, Bugwood.org

Drain/Moth Fly

F. Psychodidae

Identification

Adults are 8-15mm.
Short hairy bodies and wings.
Straight long antennae.
Wings are leaf shaped with straight veins.

Characteristics

Live in moist areas rich in organic debris.
Larvae live in wet areas often with no oxygen.

Control

Sanitation is the key.
Bio-remediation used in all areas of attractants and breeding sites.
Insect light traps .
Look for areas with decaying organic debris left for more than a few days.

Image supplied by: Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org

Phorid/Scuttle fly/Coffin fly

F. Phoridae

Identification

Adults are 5-6mm.
Dark flies humpbacked in appearance.
Wing veins have a dark edge in the first cells.

Characteristics

Have a habit of 'running' before they fly.
3000 species in 230 genera.
Can be found in carcasses.

Control

Sanitation is the key.
Bio-remediation used in all areas of attractants and breeding sites.
Insect light traps .
Look for areas with decaying organic debris left for more than a few days.

Image supplied by: Sanford D. Porter, USDA-ARS, Bugwood.org


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