Unidentified moth

[Bruce Williams]

I'm not even sure that this is a moth could be a fly perhaps. Anyway, it's tiny - I'd estimate 6 or 7mm long.

Pic taken at Stony Stratford Nature Reserve (16th April).

Help with identification appreciated.



Bruce

[Dogghound]

Its an Owl-midge Psychodidae. Let me think about the species.

[haematocephalus]

Bruce,

It's a fly of the family Psychodidae, aka Moth Flies, or Owl Midges. They're hard to tell apart so I'm not going to hazard anything further than that!

Rather fluffy and attractive by fly standards .

Martin


Martin Harvey

P.S. Dogghound just beat me to the send button!

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Dogghound - will await your thoughts on species with interest.

Have just done a quick Google on your id and note that they are also called "Moth Flies" which helps to make me feel a bit better about my id'ing it as a moth . Also from what I've just read it would seem that I've overestimated it's size - largest species has wing length of only 4mm.

Bruce

[Tornado]

Is this a Pericoma sp?

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Martin - Our posts must have crossed in cyberspace. Yes I agree they are quite fluffy and attractive as flies go

Bruce

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your suggestion Tornado.

Bruce

[Fred W]

Thats spot on! Its definately a owl midge/ moth from the family psychodidae.

You tend to find the little blighters around rotting food sources. They don't really pose a great health risk, but merely a nuisance pest.

You really need to find the source of the infestation, typically around wet organic matter found in drains etc, and without really finding the source reinfestation will occur.

Once you have the source a residual synthetic insecticide will do the trick.

Its biology is:

Female lays eggs (in and around drains lets say), larvae hatches from eggs within around 48 hours, and feed on the rotting matter for around 14-15 days. Pupation is short (around 3 days) then the adult emerges and only lives for 2-5 days.

Best,

Fred

[Bruce Williams]

Fred - Thanks for confirming family id - and thanks too for the interesting information - really much appreciated .

Regards,
Bruce

[Jez]

Ah ha so this is the little Owl Midge that pollinates Cuckoo Pint then?!

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Its an Owl-midge Psychodidae. Let me think about the species.

Yey!! That was my guess!! (though 'owl-midge' was as far as the guess was ever going to get!!!!!)

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Jez - I had to look up "Cuckoo Pint" as I'd not come across the name before - I've always known it as "Lords-and-Ladies". Anyway your posting took me on a fascinating Google trail of info on this plant - and of course confirmed it's relationship with the Owl Midge.

Thanks Gill .

Bruce

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Fred W

Once you have the source a residual synthetic insecticide will do the trick.

I think this is a little over the top pouring insecticides here and there. They can have detrimental effects on all sorts of wildlife obviously insects but also amphibians, birds and mammals. The species is widely associated with woodland and often around decaying vegetation and causes no harm at all, it is also a valuable prey item for many species so we dont want to be getting rid of them.

Bruce ive had a really good think and looked through some reference material and still seem no closer, it also looks slightly wet which may hamper ID features although not likely. Possibly in the genus Pericoma as previously mentioned.

[Jez]

Originally Posted by Bruce Williams

Thanks Jez - I had to look up "Cuckoo Pint" as I'd not come across the name before - I've always known it as "Lords-and-Ladies". Anyway your posting took me on a fascinating Google trail of info on this plant - and of course confirmed it's relationship with the Owl Midge.

Thanks Gill .

Bruce

I don't think it should be me you should be thanking Bruce, but Poschiavanus who explained all about the relationship between the midge and the plant on the wildflower boards a couple of days ago!