|
 |
 |
|
"Image(s)
Courtesy of Univar USA Inc" |
COMMON NAME:
House Fly
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Musca domestica Linnaeus
CLASS/ORDER/FAMILY: Insecta/Diptera/Muscidae
METAMORPHOSIS: Complete
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION.
These flies receive the common name of house from being the most
common fly found in and around homes, especially in the
preautomobile era and in rural areas. It is not only a nuisance
pest but of greater concern is its potential as a carrier of
disease organisms, having been found to harbor over 100
different pathogenic organisms. It is worldwide in distribution,
and is found throughout the United States.
RECOGNITION.
Adults about 1/8-1/4" (4-7.5 mm) long, with female usually
larger than male. Color dull gray; face with 2
velvety stripes, each silver above and gold below thorax
with 4 narrow black longitudinal stripes on dorsum, no
pale spot behind head or on scutellum (rear tip of
thorax); abdomen usually with sides pale at least
near base. Mouthparts sponging. Females with eyes
much more widely separated than on male. Wing with 4th
(3rd long) vein (M) sharply bent forward near tip,
towards and almost meeting 3rd vein at wing margin.
Mature larva
about 1/4-3/8" (7-10 mm) long; eyeless, legless, and
tapering towards head from large rounded rear segment, head
represented by 1 pair of dark hooks. Color cream but with greasy
appearance. Posterior spiracles (breathing pores) slightly
raised, spiracular area smooth, spiracular openings are
sinuous/winding slits which are completely surrounded by an oval
black ridge (peritreme) which has a dark donut-shaped structure
(button or ecdysial/molting scar) attached to its inner margin.
SIMILAR GROUPS.
(1) Face fly (Musca autumnalis) have wing calyptera (flat
basal lobe) with tuft of bristles; males with eyes almost
touching (vs. well separated with parallel-sided frontal stripe
between) and abdominal dorsum and sides entirely black in ground
color with gray-and-black (vs. usually yellowish at sides)
whereas, female with parafrontals (sides of front next to eyes)
bright gray, nearly as wide as median frontal stripe (vs. often
yellowish, about 1/3 as wide as frontal stripe). (2) Flesh flies
(Sarcophagidae) have only 3 dark longitudinal stripes on thorax,
tip of abdomen usually red/pink, abdominal sides never pale. (3)
Stable (Stomoxys calcitrans) and false stable (Muscina
stabulans) flies have wing with 4th (3rd long) vein curved
towards 3rd vein but not sharply angled; in addition stable
flies have piercing mouthparts and thorax with pale spot behind
head while false stable flies have sponging mouthparts but a
pale scutellum (rear tip of thorax). (4) Cluster fly (Pollenia
rudis) with golden hairs on thorax, thorax lacks 4 dark
longitudinal stripes. (5) Little house (Fannie canicularis)
and latrine (F. scalaris) flies have wing with 4th (3rd long)
vein straight. (6) Other flies either lack 4 dark thoracic
stripes, 4th (3rd long) vein sharply angled, and/or dull thorax
and abdomen.
BIOLOGY.
The adult female lays her eggs (white, oval, 1/32" (11 mm
long) singly but usually in clusters of 20-50 for a total of
75-150 per batch and will lay 5-6 batches in her lifetime
totaling 350-900 eggs (maximum 2,387 in 21 batches). Eggs are
laid in moist materials, hatch in about 8-20 hours, and the
larvae (maggots) go through 3 instars in 37 days at 70-90
degrees F (21-32 degrees C). The full-grown/mature larva seeks a
cool, dry place to pupate, migrating up to 150 feet in 3-4 days.
The pupa starts out yellowish and changes to black, this stage
taking 3 days to 4 weeks depending on temperature and humidity.
After emerging from the pupa, about 1 hour is spent drying the
wings and hardening the body at 80 degrees F (27 degrees C),
with normal activity starting at 15 hours. Depending on
conditions, developmental time (egg to adult) may require as few
as 6 days. There may be as many as 10-12 generations per summer.
Adults usually live 15-25 days.
House flies are
general feeders, being attracted to a wide variety of substances
from excrement to human foods. Because of their sponging
mouthparts, they can feed only on liquids. However, through
regurgitation they are able to liquefy many desirable solid
foods. Also, a house fly excretes and regurgitates whenever it
comes to rest. This habit coupled with its many body hairs and
bristles and the sticky pads at the base of the claws on each
leg make house flies well adapted for transporting disease
organisms.
House flies have
been shown to harbor over 100 different kinds of disease causing
pathogens, many of which are associated with filth. Such
pathogens include those causing typhoid fever, cholera,
diarrhea, dysentery, tuberculosis, anthrax, ophthalmia, polio,
and salmonellosis, as well as parasitic worms. They have been
shown to be disease pathogen transmitters via their vomit,
feces, and contaminated external body parts.
HABITS.
Although house flies have been shown to migrate up to 20 miles,
most stay within 1-2 miles/1.6-3.2 km (55-96% within 1 mile,
77-100% within 2 miles) of their release point or larval habitat
if sufficient food is available. Females seek almost any warm,
moist material with sufficient food for larval development for
egg-laying purposes.
During the day,
house flies tend to rest less than 5 feet (1.5 m) from the
ground on walls, floors, and various objects. At night they rest
primarily above 5 feet (1.5 m) on ceilings, walls, electric
wires, dangling light cords, edges/corners of buildings, plants,
etc. Their night resting places are usually near their daytime
food sources.
CONTROL.
House fly control is a 5-step process which includes
identification, inspection, sanitation' mechanical control, and
insecticide application.
- Be sure that
the problem is house flies.
- Inspection
involves locating the fly breeding and larval developmental
sites. It is sometimes helpful to do this at night when the
flies are resting near their food and/or larval
developmental sites.
- Sanitation
involves the removal or elimination of the larval
developmental sites. This may involve the timely emptying
and cleaning of garbage receptacles to render breeding
materials unsuitable by drying them out. Sanitation should
eliminate the bulk of the fly problem so that mechanical and
insecticidal measures will be more effective.
- Mechanical
controls consist of garbage receptacles with tight-fitting
closures, tight- windows and doors, windows securely
screened if they can be opened, doors with self-closures,
all holes through exterior walls for utilities, etc.,
sealed, all vents securely screened, etc., and the use of
air curtains, insect light traps, sticky-surfaced traps,
etc. Insect light traps (ILTs) are particularly effective in
reducing the number of flies indoors.
- Insecticide
application involves using appropriately labeled pesticides.
Outdoors, this includes the use of boric acid in the bottom
of dumpsters, treatment of vertical walls adjacent to
dumpsters and other breeding sites with a microencapsulated
or wettable powder formulation, and the use of fly baits
near adult feeding sources. Indoors, the use of
automatic/metered dispensers and/or ULV applications on a
room-by-room basis may be required, with the low-oil
formulations being more desirable.
Courtesy of
NPMA
Control
Solutions
|
|
Control
Solutions
Control
Solutions
Fruit
(Small)/Vinegar Flies
COMMON NAME:
Fruit (small)/vinegar flies
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Drosophila spp.
CLASS/ORDER/FAMILY: Insecta/Diptera/Drosophilidae
METAMORPHOSIS: Complete
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION.
The common name of small fruit fly comes from their small size
and fondness for fruits as egg laying and developmental sites.
The name of vinegar fly comes from the fact they develop in the
briny or vinegar like liquids at the top of imperfectly sealed
canned fruits and vegetables. Note that only flies of the family
Tephritidae can properly be called fruit flies. These are
nuisance pests but may act as disease vectors. The best known of
these flies is D. melanogaster Meigen which has been used
extensively in the study of heredity. They are worldwide in
distribution and are found throughout the United States.
RECOGNITION.
(Drosophila spp.) Adults about 1/8"
(3-4 mm) long, including the wings. Color dull, tan to
brownish yellow or brownish black; eyes usually bright red.
Antenna with feathery bristle (arista). Wing with
coastal vein (thickened front margin) broken twice,
near end of humeral cross vein (short vein perpendicular to
costa near wing base) and near end of vein R1 (1st
vein behind costa). First hind tarsal segment long and slender,
much longer than 2nd segment. Drosophila melanogaster adults
about 1/8" (3 mm) long, tan with abdomen blackish above and
grayish below, and bright red eyes.
Mature D. melanogaster
larvae are about 1/4-3/8" (7-8 mm) long, eyeless, legless,
and tapering towards head from large rounded rear segment, head
represented by 2 dark hooks. Color near white except mouth hooks
black and tips of posterior terminal abdominal spiracles
(breathing pores) yellowish. Posterior spiracles at end of short
stalks/fleshy tubes which are in contact or joined at their
bases. Other species may have posterior spiracle stalks dark
and/or have whorls of setae (hairs) at their ends, and/or have
the bottom side of abdomen with darkened cross bands (setulae).
SIMILAR GROUPS.
(1) Small dung flies (Sphaeroceridae) with 1st hind tarsal
segment broad and shorter than 2nd segment, wing with costar
vein (thickened front margin) broken 3 times (additionally
before humeral cross vein). (2) Humpbacked flies (Phoridae) with
humpback appearance, wing with strong/dark basal front veins
(costar area) and 4-5 weaker (less distinct) unbranched oblique
veins, hind femora flattened. (3) Moth/drain/sewage flies (Psychodidae)
have body and wing veins densely covered with hairs. (4) Fungus
gnats (Mycetophilidae) and darkwinged fungus gnats (Sciaridae)
are slender, long-legged, mosquitolike, with elongated coxae,
wing costa (front margin) unbroken, antenna lacks an arista/bristle.
(5) Other small flies either lack antenna with a feathery
bristle and/or wing with a twice broken costar vein.
BIOLOGY.
Adult females lay their eggs (average about 500) near the
surface of fermenting fruits and vegetables or near the cover
crack of imperfectly sealed containers of such materials. The
eggs hatch in about 30 hours. The larvae develop in the briny or
vinegarlike liquids of the fermenting materials where they feed
near the surface and primarily on the yeast, for about 5-6 days.
Prior to pupation, the larvae crawl to drier areas of the food
or elsewhere. The brown, seedlike sheath containing the pupa
(the puparium) is formed from the last larval skin/exoskeleton.
The newly emerged adults mate in about 2 days. The life cycle
(adult to adult) may be completed in 8-10 days at 85 degrees F
(29 degrees C). Their reproductive potential is enormous.
HABITS.
Small fruit flies are attracted primarily to fresh fruits and
vegetables and those fermenting because of yeast. Materials lose
their attractiveness when they begin to decay because of
bacteria and fungi. Materials commonly infested include bananas,
grapes, peaches, pineapples, tomatoes, mustard pickles,
potatoes, etc. and fermenting liquids such as beer, cider,
vinegar, and wine; some species are attracted to human and
animal excrement. The larvae develop primarily in liquids and
near the surface but seek drier areas for pupation. Newly
emerged adults are attracted to lights. Because of their short
life cycle of 8-10 days, they can exploit many temporarily
available developmental sites such as sour mop and broom heads,
fruit under a table or cabinet, fruit left out in a bowl, etc.
Dishwater and mop water full of food particles can accumulate on
surfaces and/or in crevices and ferment, providing ideal fly
breeding conditions.
Adults tend to
hover in small circles. Because of their small size, many
species are able to penetrate ordinary screens.
CONTROL.
The key to small fruit fly control is sanitation. Elimination of
larval food and developmental sites is mandatory. The presence
of adult flies usually means that larvae are developing in some
nearby fermenting material. If the flies are coming from
outdoors, reducing the screen mesh size can be helpful because
most species can penetrate ordinary screens. The number of
adults can be reduced through the use of insect electrocuters
(light traps), and/or better, the use of baited jar traps with
special tops which allow access but discourage escape. Adults
can be easily killed with an appropriately labeled aerosol, or
ULV application. However, such relief will only be temporary,
lasting only until new adults emerge, unless proper sanitation
has been practiced.
Control
Solutions
Fruit flies are common around the house during late summer
and early fall. All it takes is an overripe banana, tomatoes
ripening on the counter or melon rinds in the wastebasket --
and like magic, fruit flies appear.
But in
winter? Winter fruit flies often are not fruit flies at all
but rather fungus gnats, which look enough like fruit flies
to a casual observer to be confused with them.
Both fruit
flies and fungus gnats speed the process of decay of plant
matter. Adult fruit flies home in on potential food sources
such as overripe fruit or winter squash past its prime, and
lay their eggs on it. Maggots hatch in a day or two and
commence feeding. As the plant matter breaks down, various
fungi start to grow in it. These fungi -- and others growing
in houseplant pots, drains and other chronically damp places
-- are attractive to fungus gnats, which are every bit as
quick as fruit flies to zero in on potential breeding sites.
Numbers can increase quickly.
During warm
months, both of these insects can enter homes from outdoors.
They can easily pass through ordinary window screen. In
winter, management can be more successful because you don't
have a continuous supply of new recruits to deal with.
Focus control
efforts on five areas: fruit and vegetable storage areas
that are open to air (bowls, crocks, bags on floors or in
pantries), open trash containers, potted indoor plants,
drains, and damp rugs, carpets and paper products in the
basement or garage.
Leave out on
the counter only as much fruit as you will consume in a day
or two. Wash containers frequently (every other day or so)
in hot, soapy water to dislodge and kill any eggs they might
contain.
Line trash
containers with disposable plastic bags. Containers with no
bag or a leaking bag should be washed frequently, especially
if the bottom tends to remain damp or wet.
If you
suspect houseplant pots of harboring fungus gnats or fruit
flies, you can treat the soil with insecticidal soap or
incorporate diatomaceous earth in the soil to kill the
maggots. Another approach is to cut back on watering so the
soil dries out between waterings. Any maggots present in the
soil will dry out, and lack of water will reduce fungal
growth and so reduce the food supply for adult fungus gnats.
A third option is a combination of letting the soil dry
between waterings and then watering with a solution of water
and insecticidal soap.
Basements can
get extremely damp during the summer. Fabric and paper will
absorb moisture and can become home to populations of fungus
gnats and a host of other creatures, many of which may carry
over into the winter. Use a dehumidifier in the summer to
reduce the dampness, thus eliminating breeding sites for
these flies and reducing the growth of mold.
Household Fly
and Gnat traps for flying insects will control fruit flies
and fungus gnats, but this is like treating the symptom
rather than the cause of an infestation. Eliminate potential
breeding habitat as soon as possible.
Measures that
dry or clean out breeding habitat for these insects will
also reduce the fungal spore load inside your home and help
freshen the air. Both of these can enhance health and
comfort while greatly reducing the flying nuisance numbers
-- at least until warm weather comes back and activates
outdoor populations.
Control
Solutions
Control
Solutions
Control
Solutions
Moth Fly
Photo Credit: Tom Myers
AT A GLANCE:
Size:
3/16
- inch
Color:
Brown to gray or gray-black
Top of Prothorax:
Hairy, no markings
Other Identifying
Characters:
All wing veins run parallel to each other; body and
wings covered by numerous short hairs
ID Tips.
Moth flies are small flies up to 1/8-inch in length
including the wings. They are usually black in color
although at least one species found in structures has a
brown body and wings. The entire body and wings of the
moth fly are covered with tiny hairs giving it a
moth-like appearance.
Basic Biology.
The moth fly is commonly called the drain fly because it
usually is found breeding in drains which brings it into
contact with potentially disease-causing bacteria. This
could result in these organisms being carried onto food
products or into sterile areas in hospitals.
Moth flies develop by complete metamorphosis. The
life cycle begins when the female finds a suitable
medium in which to lay her eggs. The eggs are laid on
the surface of the gelatinous film inside a drain or on
top of decaying organic matter. The larvae live inside
the gelatinous film of the breeding material and breathe
by extending a breathing tube through the film. The
larvae feed for up to 15 days before pupating. The
entire life cycle can be completed in as little as 8
days or as long as 24 days, depending on the
temperature.
Key Inspection Tips.
Finding the breeding sources and eliminating them is the
key to eliminating a moth fly infestation in a building.
Since moth flies typically breed in drains, this is a
good place to start the inspection. Moth fly larvae live
in the moist film that develops on the sides of a drain
and in the drain's trap. The presence of numerous adult
flies inside a drain is a good sign that the drain is a
breeding site. Use a knife or screwdriver to scrape the
film off the sides of the drain and examine it for live
larvae.
Occasionally, drain pipes will break under slab
floors or between floors in commercial buildings. Moth
flies can breed in large numbers in the organic debris
deposited through the break in the pipe under the slab.
Adult flies then enter the living space above the slab
through cracks in the slab and back through the drain
pipe. To determine if these flies are exiting through
cracks in a floor or from a drain, place pieces of
masking tape over the crack or the drain opening. Leave
space between the strips of tape to allow air movement
for the flies to follow. If flies are exiting the
openings, some of the them will become stuck to the
tape. If the suspicion is strong enough that moth flies
are breeding under a slab, a hole must be broken through
the slab to see if indeed a pipe has broken and flies
are breeding there. After a hole is broken through the
slab, poke around and dig in the soil under the slab.
The organic debris and moist soil may actually be
several inches under the surface. The presence of fly
larvae and/or adults confirms the site as a breeding
source.
Sump pump pits and sewers are usually found in a
basement area and also prime breeding sites for moth
flies. Sump pump pits and sewers should be checked for
activity even if they are not located close to the area
where flies are seen. The flies might not always be
breeding close to the infestation area.
In homes, moth flies are generally found breeding in
bathroom drains, particularly those in showers. Shower
pans are prone to leaking and the area under the shower
pan becomes a prime moth fly breeding source. If
suspicion is strong that flies are breeding beneath a
shower, it may be necessary to drill a hole into the
area under the shower pan or the wall behind the shower.
In most cases where moth flies are breeding in this
area, adult flies will begin emerging from the hole
within minutes. Moth flies are strongly attracted to
light and will fly to the hole drilled through the
wall.
Moth flies will also breed inside crawlspaces. In
many of the cases where this occurs, a drain pipe is
leaking into the crawlspace. Inspect the crawlspace if
one is present and look for adult flies. Check spider
webs for dead moth flies if live ones are not seen in
the crawlspace.
Don't stop looking when one breeding source has
been found. In most cases, several breeding sources will
be present.
Courtesy of Pest Control Technology
Control
Solutions
Control
Solutions
Control
Solutions
Control
Solutions
Control
Solutions
Control
Solutions
Control
Solutions
Control
Solutions
|
|
