#moth fly

[i-3at-s0ap]

BUG AHEAD!

Meet my little bathroom friend Claudia! She is a bathroom moth fly (aka Clogmia albipunctata) and she is so cute!!!!! She is a member of the Diptera order meaning she is a true fly, even though she is fuzzy like a moth. All these photos were taken by me :D

[bowelfly]

drain fly bugsona for @eisly with an armful of ferrets rove beetles for a secret santa art trade

[pencilbrony]

Whoa! Drain Fly (also moth fly)

[flame-shadow]

i revamped an old jokey character concept. meet Dupe! they're a drain fly and an agent of chaos. watch out :3

[asleepymonster]

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite insects, the humble drain fly.

Also known as the moth fly, we are specifically taking about Clogmia albipunctata. These adorable little cuties are true flies and their natural habitats are swampy wet areas.

"But Alex," you scream, frothing at the mouth, eyes bulging, "Why are they called drain flies?"

While the adults eat nectar or just water, the larvae are aquatic and eat decaying matter. Drain flies have discovered that our sewage system is a neverending supply of disgusting organic stuff just decaying away. Yummy! As such, they can often be found in drains. Maybe you've had drain flies? Rejoice, for you have been blessed.

The best thing about these guys?

They fly like drunk idiots.

They are special little guys, perfect in every way.

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Bathroom Moth Fly - Clogmia albipunctata

Insects truly are amazing creatures, aren't they. Just when one thinks that they've seen it all, nature finds another way to surprise them, such is the case with this strange specimen. At a casual glance, this individual appears to be a small tufted Moth with broad wings and feathered antennae. However, there's a problem: only one pair of wings, meaning this insect has to be a Fly, and that's exactly what it is! Yes, really! Specifically, this Fly is a member of the subfamily known as Psychodinae, or Moth Flies, naturally owing to the aforementioned resemblance. While similar in appearance, they could not be further apart with regards to certain behaviors and adaptations. Most prominently, the larvae of Psychodinae are prominent in sewage systems and bathroom drains rather than verdant fields. There they feed on developing algae and bacteria within plumbing muck and pipes. It may be dirty work, but it's very useful for urban environments as they can act as natural purifiers. This is an offshoot of their role within the natural environment whereby they act as detritivores by streams, ponds and other moist, decay-filled environments such as within leaf litter.

From my own research, they're hardly pests given their muck-feeding, but their presence may be unpleasant. Many of them may indicate there is uncleanliness afoot (similar to the Common Silverfish, another misunderstood bathroom resident). If you find a similar insect in your bathroom, take it as a sign that clean up may be needed. After a fill of filth, the larvae pupate within the same filth, emerging after some time as a tuft-haired specimen like the one seen here. When they take to the air, they can begin feeding on sources of nectar, but some may continue to feed near their water source. It sounds strange, but lest we forget that some Butterflies obtain valuable nutrients by sipping them from mud. Speaking of, even as I write I'm very amazed by how close the resemblance of this specie is to a small, compact Moth, down to the plumage on the thorax and the positioning of the eyes. Many Moth Fly specimens look similar to each other, but it seems that this specie is easy to identify as long as the following characteristics are met. There should be 2 spots visible in the middle of each wing, the antennae and Fly's leg segments should be white, and there must be white spots around the edge of the wings. That's a match here!

Pictures were taken on August 21, 2024 in Hamilton with a Google Pixel 4. I did wash my hands after handling this specimen...after research began.

[draxolot]

have a little guy

[shirecorn]

More

I call em chibugs heheheh

Want to see your favorite bug in this style? Ask about commissions

Want stickers? I will be putting those up on my etsy after the weekend.

[big-bee-png]

here is my annual one new ref sheet before artfight

she's a drain fly alchemist who acts like a spooky witch so people would leave her alone and not come to her for a cure for every little thing

[drhoz]

#2387 - Psychoda alternata - Trickling Filter Fly

AKA Psychoda albimaculata, Psychoda dakotensis, Psychoda floridica, Psychoda nocturnala, Psychoda schizura.

Originating in North America, but now found around the world. Established in Britain by 2000, Brazil by 2006, Norway by 2011, Iraq and Croatia by 2013 and in Spain by 2016. That recent spread is honestly quite surprising, since their prefered habitat is moist biofilms such as sewerage trickle filters, sludge pits, ditches and drains and those are found everywhere you get humans.

The adults seldom move far from where they were hatched, as they are weak-winged. The males hatch first and only survive for a few days, while unmated females may live for a week.

Pohokura, North Island, New Zealand

[i-3at-s0ap]

Nothing is worse than going into the tag for an insect you like and one of the top posts is talking about how fun they are to kill

[ex0skeletal-undead]

Macabre Dossier: Insects illustration by Matheus Ferreira de Jesus

[ikemoths]

A slightly miscoloured giant leopard moth showing the blueish tint more than usual!

[lovertm]

bugs & a slug brass figurines by TinyMiniSmall

[mothstothelight]

It's gonna be a webcomic cover.

[blondebrainpowered]

Rosy Maple moth taking flight in slow motion.