Drain-fly
Guides
Clogmia
drain flies, moth flies, filter flies, bathroom flies
Clogmia is a genus of small, non-biting drain flies in the family Psychodidae. Adults are 3–5 mm long with fuzzy, moth-like appearance due to dense hairs on wings and body. The genus includes the cosmopolitan species C. albipunctata, commonly known as the filter fly or bathroom fly, which frequently inhabits human dwellings. These flies are primarily nuisance pests associated with moist, decaying organic matter. Larvae play a documented role in sewage treatment as decomposers.
Clogmia albipunctata
Bathroom Moth Fly, Drain Fly, Filter Fly, Bathroom Moth Midge, Sewer Gnat, Sink Fly
Clogmia albipunctata is a small, non-hematophagous moth fly in the family Psychodidae with worldwide distribution in tropical and temperate regions. Adults measure 2.2–2.5 mm in body length with distinctive broad, hairy wings marked by black spots near the middle and white spots along the edges. The species is strongly associated with human dwellings, particularly bathrooms and kitchens, where larvae develop in moist, decaying organic matter within drains. Adults are weak fliers that rarely move from walls and live approximately 12 days. Though historically reported as a myiasis agent, critical review of evidence finds no incontestable documentation of true parasitism; reported cases typically involve facultative infestation of pre-existing cavities with decaying material rather than tissue invasion.
Paramormia furcata
Paramormia furcata is a small moth fly (family Psychodidae) first described by Kincaid in 1899. The species has been reclassified under the genus Telmatoscopus in some taxonomic treatments, creating nomenclatural confusion. As a member of the Psychodidae, it belongs to a family of small, hairy flies commonly known as moth flies or drain flies, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Platyplastinx sycophantos
Platyplastinx sycophantos is a species of moth fly in the family Psychodidae. It belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive wing venation and body flattening. Very few records exist for this species, with only one observation documented on iNaturalist. Its biology and ecology remain largely undocumented.
Threticus bicolor
Threticus bicolor is a species of moth fly in the family Psychodidae, originally described as Psychoda bicolor by Nathan Banks in 1894. The species epithet 'bicolor' refers to its two-colored appearance. Like other members of Psychodidae, it belongs to a group of small, often hairy flies commonly known as moth flies or drain flies. The genus Threticus is part of the diverse psychodid fauna, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.