COMMON FRUIT FLIES IN NEW YORK (Articles)

Fruit Fly Control and Elimination The best way to avoid problems with fruit flies is to eliminate sources of attraction. The first step is proper sanitation so you can eliminate any breeding sources. All stages of fruit fly infestations depend on organic debris to complete the complete fruit fly cycle. Whenever possible, food and materials on which fruit flies can lay their eggs must be removed. Killing adult fru…

Description:   Drain flies, or moth flies, are small, dark winged, non-biting gnats. Their wings are covered with scales so they disappear in a cloud of fine dust when swatted or mashed. These nuisance gnats can be found resting on walls or ceilings, and make short hopping flights if disturbed.   Appearance:   The key identifying character for the moth fly is the unique pattern of veins in its…

Description: Fruit flies are small flies. The key identifying characteristic of the fruit fly is its eyes, which are red in color. The head and thorax are tan in color with the abdomen somewhat darker. The two most visible signs of fruit fly activity would be the adult flies and the pupae. Adult flies often are seen flying around in kitchens or trash cans near the decaying fruit or vegetables.   Appearance…

Description: Gnats present in soil are typically the fungus gnats. Because larvae remain within soil and near the bottom of affected plants, fungus gnat infestations are difficult to identify before they have caused considerable damage. Fungus gnat larvae often go unnoticed, as they remain near the roots of affected plants. Adult fungus gnats appear similar to small flies and many times are not identified as bein…

Description: The phorids, also known as humpbacked flies, are small to minute flies that resemble fruit flies in appearance. When people see small-sized flies in their home, their first thought is that they must be fruit flies. However, there are a handful of other kinds of small flies that may also be found in homes. One common type is the phorid (FOUR-id) fly also know as humpbacked fly, coffin fly, and scuttle…

  Description: Vinegar flies, sometimes inaccurately called fruit flies, are small, slow-flying insects usually found in association with over-ripened fruit and vegetables. These insects are most abundant in the late summer months when vegetables or other fruit ripen and begin to ferment. Vinegar flies are common nuisance pests in restaurants, grocery stores, fruit markets, canneries, homes, and other locatio…

  Description: The cheese skipper, Piophila casei (Linnaeus), sometimes called the ham skipper, is a member of the "skipper fly" family (Piophilidae). These flies receive their name due to the unusual ability of the larvae to propel themselves through the air. The flies are detritivores, feeding on decaying matter, cheese fly is a species of fly known for infesting human foodstuffs. Usually feed on overripe…