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Moth Fly


Moth Fly
Photo Information
Copyright: Quinten Venter (voyager1) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 12 W: 0 N: 45] (359)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-09-28
Categories: Insects
Camera: Pentax ist*DL, Bellows
Exposure: f/11, 1/180 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-12-01 10:28
Viewed: 4037
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Moth Fly: Taken In Kruger National Park Southern Africa

The key identifying character for the moth fly is the unique pattern of veins in its wings. The entire body and wings of the moth fly are covered with tiny hairs, giving it a moth-like appearance. To the naked eye, this tiny pest might appear to be a small fly with fat wings; the aid of a magnifying glass reveals the unmistakable moth-like appearance. This small fly is no more than 1/8 inch in length including the wings. They are usually black in color.

Moth fly adults can be quite annoying in homes, appearing from sinks and bathtub drains. These pests breed in tremendous numbers in sewer plants and are easily blown towards homes by the wind. Their small size enables them to penetrate ordinary fly screens. There have been noted cases of bronchial asthma caused by inhaling the dust resulting from the disintegration of such small flies.

Moth flies lay eggs in a mass of 30 to 100. These eggs hatch in less than 48 hours. The larvae and pupae of the moth fly live in the thin film found in drains, septic tank field lines or filter stones. The larvae feed on sediment, decaying vegetation and microscopic plants and animals. The larval stage lasts from 9 to 15 days and the pupal stage lasts from 20 to 40 hours. The newly emerged adult fly is sexually mature on emergence and copulates within the first few hours of its life.

Source: Insects of Southern Africa
Argus, saguzar has marked this note useful
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To cataclysta: nope not first but 2ndvoyager1 1 12-01 10:40
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi
Great photo of Psychodidae fly. Fantastic details.
I am almost shure that it is first time on treknature
Best wishes
Krzysztof

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1079 W: 293 N: 4497] (16383)
  • [2006-12-01 12:01]

Hello Quinten,
you present an interesting species with pretty good sharpness considering the size of the specimen. I like to see the minute structures of the antennae and also of the wing surface.
Best wishes, Peter

  • Great 
  • nimou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 148 W: 1 N: 687] (3171)
  • [2006-12-01 15:02]

Exellent closeup
Superb composition and greats colours
Great sharpness, POV and DOF
Regards

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2006-12-01 15:16]

Hi Quentin,
Sharp macro of this small psychodid fly with good detail. The yello and red (flower?) makes a striking BG.
TFS, regards, Ivan

Hello Quinten,
Amazing macro photo of a species very similar here in Argentina.Details are perfects. The note was useful to me because now can identificate my insect that lives in bathrooms or humid places.
Regards
Hernán

Hello Quinten,
this is a rare picture of a rarely spotted creature, well done. The picture stimulates to wonder how this contraption will ever fly, but it does (and I think the flight technique is different from that of other flies, the air being quite viscous for those tiny wings). Great ! Cheers, Dietrich

Hi quinten,

This a very tiny fly & you've capture it with great sharpness.
Good details of the fly & fine picture quality.
Welldone & TFS.

Kapil

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