Moth Fly - Maruina lanceolata

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… v belov, 4 January, 2011 - 12:49pm

Psychodidae, Maruina lanceolata (Kincaid)

This is a very common species in California and throughout the wester US. I collected dozens of them for my research while I was in CA this past summer. Your description very aptly characterizes the typical habitat of this fly. The immature stages are found in moderate to fast-flowing streams, and the adults of many Maruina species like to rest on leaves near the larval habitat. A few other species of this genus also occur in the US, but they are colored differently.
Few species of Psychodidae are closely associated with human establishments. These are the species that people most often encounter and recognize, but they are in the minority in terms of moth fly diversity. There are actually thousands of psychodid species that can be found outside domestic habitats. This beautiful Maruina lanceolata is a great example, and one of my favorite flies to study due to the type of habitat where they are found.

… Gregory R. Curler, 4 January, 2011 - 8:15am

Wow...thanks, Gregory!

Great to get this interesting creature identified to species! And I appreciate the habitat and additional info you shared. Now I (and other readers here) can search out further interesting info about the genus & species, e.g. ecological, life history, etc. (though that may still be hard to find :-) At any rate, I'm glad to have the summary info you provided.

Also glad to read your statements clarifying the apparently inaccurate tendency to associate this interesting group principally with human domestic habitats. Though, in all honestly, if I understand things correctly, the service that some of them provide for human wastewater treatment should be regarded as a blessing, not a stigma!

… Aaron Schusteff, 4 January, 2011 - 9:57pm

Nice shot, great angle!

Don't believe I've ever seen one on a leaf, or even outside for that matter.

… Ron Hemberger, 23 December, 2009 - 11:44am

Thanks Ron

Yeah...I think they're most often seen indoors around dank places like showers, open drains, etc. :-)

… Aaron Schusteff, 23 December, 2009 - 3:24pm