Any bug identifiers here?

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Kol12

370 posts

Ultimate Geek

#223724 14-Oct-2017 17:15

We have these bugs that look like tiny little flies, they are very small, about 1-2 maybe 3mm in size that are hanging around in swarms outside the house porch area. They're also attracted to the spotlight at night. I've looked online but can't seem to identify them and I really want to eradicate them. Does anyone know what these are? You may have to zoom on the pics because they are so small.

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1573 posts

Uber Geek

#1883518 14-Oct-2017 17:52

I ALWAYS start here when trying to identify a bug: https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/animals/bug-id/what-is-this-bug

Great website!

Bung

6507 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1883527 14-Oct-2017 18:33

I can only see 1 very blurred example in the LH pic nothing in the right.

Have you looked up nz sandflies/blackflies?

scuwp

3888 posts

Uber Geek

#1883529 14-Oct-2017 18:39

What it's called is irrelevant...kill it now before it breeds!

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

pctek

807 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1884514 16-Oct-2017 18:52

https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/animals/bug-id/what-is-this-bug/bugs-with-legs/6-legs/flies-and-mosquitoes/sandflies-blackflies

Not that it matters. Flyspray will kill them

Kol12

370 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1884527 16-Oct-2017 19:33

pctek:

https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/animals/bug-id/what-is-this-bug/bugs-with-legs/6-legs/flies-and-mosquitoes/sandflies-blackflies

Not that it matters. Flyspray will kill them

I'm not sure these are sandflies, and I'm not sure you would even call them a fly, they're absolutely tiny but have wings... I've searched most of the NZ bug identification websites but can't find these things. They're constantly jumping around which is why it was so difficult to photograph them. Yes flyspray does kill them but I am also interested in identifying the source. Maybe it's one of the tree's adjacent to the house. There was a swarm of them around a nearby punga tree the other day too.

blackjack17

1705 posts

Uber Geek

#1884549 16-Oct-2017 20:25

Moth fly/drain fly https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drain_fly

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gbwelly

1243 posts

Uber Geek

#1884551 16-Oct-2017 20:26

What suburb are you in? We have had similar/same, they keep getting into our indoors pot plants despite Neam oil. We have thought it was a bad batch of potting mix but your post makes me wonder if its an outdoor problem coming indoors.

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Kol12

370 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1884577 16-Oct-2017 20:33

gbwelly:

What suburb are you in? We have had similar/same, they keep getting into our indoors pot plants despite Neam oil. We have thought it was a bad batch of potting mix but your post makes me wonder if its an outdoor problem coming indoors.

I think this definitely an outdoor problem coming in, there is a large amount on our property. I find them in the bathroom and around the bathroom window also. I live semi rural in Waikato so I wonder if this is a farm land area thing? But if you have them in a larger city then maybe not? Have only lived here around 2 years and from what I recall it's around this time of the year they come out and they are a nuisance...

blackjack17

1705 posts

Uber Geek

#1884701 17-Oct-2017 05:48

Without a better photo still think they are a month fly. ESP if also found in bathrooms

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Bung

6507 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1884706 17-Oct-2017 06:34

The moth fly is pictured holding its wings out clear of the body, very triangular. The only shot of the mystery fly appears to show wings tucked back along the body. The OP should experiment with macro focus if the camera has it on a dead fly.

Kol12

370 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1885218 17-Oct-2017 17:09

I think you guys might be right about them being moth/drain fly's and if so not a great sign as they breed and are attracted to dirty drains etc...

I got some more pics today of one hovering inside a window, I think they're pretty clear pictures. Sorry the window and window frame are a bit rough! But I've made a good job painting some of the others!

Here are original links which should allow pictures to be zoomed...

https://postimg.org/image/28s7g50c17/42310556/

https://postimg.org/image/6hwxib3t2z/afdd5fb1/

https://postimg.org/image/12yezvug17/5ae0aa36/

https://postimg.org/image/6luks0axu3/2791ee81/

blackjack17

1705 posts

Uber Geek

#1885241 17-Oct-2017 18:15

Yep pretty sure it's a moth fly. I did do level 3 papers at uni in entomology. (However that was 16 years ago)

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Kol12

370 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1885267 17-Oct-2017 19:34

blackjack17: Yep pretty sure it's a moth fly. I did do level 3 papers at uni in entomology. (However that was 16 years ago)

Well done! It didn't matter how many google+fly combination searches I tried I couldn't seem to identify it. Slight issue though, the one I have just photographed I think is slightly different to the original pictured one. This one has a tail and more angled wings whereas the original one has no tail and almost heart shaped wings. Are they still the same thing? Based on google searches I think they are very similar.

So drain flies predominantly live and breed in the organic matter present inside moist drains and are associated with damp habitats. I looked at the nearest drain outside and couldn't find any around it even though the bathroom is very near it where they are getting in. They are actually in large swarms on another side of the house that doesn't have drains on it. There is a Lily of the valley tree and the garden it's planted in along with other shrubs is probably what I would call a damp habitat as it never get's any sun. This would be the obvious place to look but I cannot spot any breeding area.

blackjack17

1705 posts

Uber Geek

#1885275 17-Oct-2017 20:26

There are 1000s of species of moth flies. No idea how many NZ ones. You might have seen moth flies at different stages/ages who knows?

They are very common and harmless. They don't carry disease. They might be living in water trapped around the base of the lilies, in water traps really anywhere where there is water and remember it has been a really wet winter. They will go away when it dries up a little.

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Kol12

370 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1885286 17-Oct-2017 20:48

blackjack17:

There are 1000s of species of moth flies. No idea how many NZ ones. You might have seen moth flies at different stages/ages who knows?

They are very common and harmless. They don't carry disease. They might be living in water trapped around the base of the lilies, in water traps really anywhere where there is water and remember it has been a really wet winter. They will go away when it dries up a little.

That makes sense because I am seeing other various similar looking flying bugs. Different looking but appear to be from the same species. I am slightly bugged by them not just because they are a nuisance but because they are supposed to be associated with filthy dirty drains etc and thought we might have a drainage issue, but as you say it's not necessarily dirty drains they're attracted to but generally dampness and water. I think this area where they predominantly are will dry up and they will move. It has been very wet in this area over winter as it gets no sun and the concrete is very moldy so is probably the ideal breeding ground for them. Would it be worth trying to find the breeding area or just fend them off with flyspray until nature takes it course?

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