Clogmia albipunctata

Clogmia albipunctata is a species of drain fly, a member of the family Psychodidae commonly known as the bathroom moth midge, bathroom moth fly or drain fly.[1]

Clogmia albipunctata
Imago of Clogmia albipunctata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Diptera
Suborder:	Nematocera
Family:	Psychodidae
Genus:	Clogmia
Species:	C. albipunctata
Binomial name
Clogmia albipunctata (Williston, 1893)

Distribution

This very common species has a worldwide distribution in tropical and temperate areas and is often associated with humans.[2][3] The species can be found near sewer drains, sewage treatment plants, plant pots, swamps and any other place containing decaying, moist organic matter and is shaded.[4] The species is a common pest around household drains, but the larvae have an important role in sewage treatment.[4]

Male C. albipunctata. A moth-like dense coat of small hairs gives rise to the term "moth fly".

Description

Clogmia albipunctata can reach a length of 3–5 millimetres (0.12–0.20 in). Both the body and the wings are covered with thick gray-brown hair. The wings are pointed, and have some white spots (hence the Latin species name). Despite being a Diptera (a fly), it has a similar appearance to that of a small moth. The antennae show dense setae, each segment with separate whorls.

Biology

The adults can sustain themselves by drinking water or consuming flower nectar[4] and live for about 12 days. They spend most of their life perched on walls. They move rarely, and with weak flight. The larvae live in aquatic environments, feeding on organic decaying matter, and take about 18 days to turn into a pupa, which develops into an adult after 5 days.[5] They often infest drains of bathrooms and, for this reason, they are also known as "bath flies" in the United States.

Although they are considered harmless, some cases of myiasis caused by the larvae of this insect are reported in the literature, at the nasal, intestinal and urinary levels but are often associated with very poor sanitary conditions and bad hygiene habits.[6][7][8]

Pest control

Protected by the extremely fine water-repellent hairs covering their bodies, adults and larvae are difficult to drown,[9] and are not affected by contact with most water-borne toxins such as bleach. Boiling water has little or no effect on the adults for the same reason, and even the eggs are highly resistant to both chemical or thermal assault. Eggs can also withstand periods of dehydration. Extermination of this household pest depends on the maintenance of clean household drains for a period of at least three weeks.

Suspect drains can be identified by placing a glass jar or taping a clear plastic bag over them, and periodically checking for adult flies.[10] A clear plastic cup coated inside with vegetable oil or petroleum jelly can also be used.[9] Partially covering the drain opening with sticky adhesive tape is another method used to identify breeding sources.[11]

Thorough mechanical cleaning of drains will remove the larval food source, and is the most effective control measure.[9] High-pressure drain cleaning will not only eradicate the feeding source of the larvae, it also cleans the entire length of pipe reducing the likelihood of drain flies from returning.[12] Alternatively, injected foams containing bacteria or enzymes may be useful to break down gelatinous scum deposits.[10] Besides sink drains, floor drains and shower drains are common sources, as well as leaky shower pans, but any location with moist decaying organic matter can be a breeding site.[11] In commercial buildings, sump pump pits, sewers, and elevator pits may trap moisture where drain flies can breed.[11]

Because of their attraction to light, drain flies may be monitored by using fan-based traps baited with visible or ultraviolet light. However, only killing adult flies is usually not effective; larval food sources must be removed to stop more flies from emerging.[11]

References

1. BioLib
2. "The Diptera Site". Archived from the original on 2018-02-05. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
3. Faulde, M.; Spiesberger, M. (2013). "Role of the moth fly Clogmia albipunctata (Diptera: Psychodinae) as a mechanical vector of bacterial pathogens in German hospitals". Journal of Hospital Infection. 83 (1): 51–60. doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2012.09.019. ISSN 0195-6701.
4. "Moth Flies". MDC Discover Nature. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
5. Dearden, Peter K.; Jiménez-Guri, Eva; Wotton, Karl R.; Gavilán, Brenda; Jaeger, Johannes (2014). "A Staging Scheme for the Development of the Moth Midge Clogmia albipunctata". PLoS ONE. 9 (1): e84422. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0084422. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 3883683. PMID 24409296.
6. Nevill, E. M.; Basson, P. A.; Schoonraad, J.H.; Swanepoel, K. (1969). "A case of nasal myiasis caused by the larvae of Telmatoscopus albipunctatus (Williston) 1893 (Diptera: Psychodidae)". South African Medical Journal. 43 (17): 512–514.
7. Tu, WC; Chen, HC; Chen, KM; Tang, LC; Lai, SC (2007). "Intestinal myiasis caused by larvae of Telmatoscopus albipunctatus in a Taiwanese man". Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 41 (4): 400–402. doi:10.1097/01.mcg.0000212615.66713.ba.
8. Kamimura, K; Arakawa, R (1986). "A case report on urinary myiasis due to the moth fly Telmatoscopus albipunctatus". Medical Entomology and Zoology. 37 (2): 161–162. doi:10.7601/mez.37.161.
9. Townsend, Lee. "Drain Flies or Moth Flies". Entomology at the University of Kentucky. University of Kentucky. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
10. "Moth Flies in the Home (Department of Entomology)". Department of Entomology (Penn State University).
11. "Get Rid Of Drain Flies | Drain Fly Control Treatment". Do It Yourself Pest Control. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
12. Bonanno, Jason. "How to Get Rid of Drain Flies For Good". JAB Plumbing Solutions. Retrieved 2020-01-14.