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INSECT IDENTIFICATION
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Lesser Housefly
Fannia canicularis
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Identification
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Lesser Housefly
 
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.
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Identification
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Blowfly
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
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Identification
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Cluster Fly
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.
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Identification
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Mushroom/Fungus Fly
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.

Image supplied by: Creative Commons Permissions
Fruit Fly
Drosophila melanogaster
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Identification
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Fruit Fly
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
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Identification
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Mosquitoes
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
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Identification
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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
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Identification
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Common Housefly
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
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Identification
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Drain/Moth Fly
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
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Identification
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Scuttle / Phorid Fly
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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Please click HERE or image to download a Fly Identification PDF.
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Insect ID  
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