With clandestine and potential malicious pathogenesis, Telmatoscopus albipunctatus (meaning white-dotted sword in condition of decline) brings a crime wave of nuisance. Common within or near sewage corruption, moth flies assault and batter innocent inhabitants by offending sensibilities — flying into eyes, nostrils and mouths — and posing the risk of being mechanical vectors of disease. Breeding within algae, fungi, bacteria and sludge on the biofilm surface layer of sewage, malevolent moth flies produce about eight generations a year (especially summer).
They are produced by complete etamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Egg (0.2mm) placements are single or in groups. Various depths of the biofilm are used for offensive oviposition. Lawless larvae are legless, slow and molt three times during their five to 10 days of mutual corruption. Punitive pupae have two respiratory horns at the anterior end. Armed with micros, adult 2-mm flies have almond-shaped, hairy wings (10 long veins reaching the edge) that are carried at a roof-like angle of repose. The growth of biofilms increases moth fly populations. En masse urban area and home invasions can result from sewage treatment plants.
Preventing moth fly malevolence involves detailed detective work:
- Properly identify the offending species.
- Locate all breeding sites, such as drains, refuse, potted plants, gutters, air conditioners, compost areas, septic systems, sewers, etc.
- Perform an ultra low-volume (ULV) treatment to arrest populations as indicated. Follow all label directions.
- Initiate an all-points-microbial resource cleaning program.
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