moth fly

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moth fly

insect

Also known as: Psychodidae, psychodid fly

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Related Topics:: Nematocera

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moth fly, (family Psychodidae), any member of a family of insects in the fly order, Diptera, that are small and mothlike and are commonly found around the openings of drain pipes. No more than 5 mm (0.2 inch) long, these flies have broad hairy wings that are held rooflike over the body when at rest, so that they resemble tiny moths.

The larvae, which feed on decaying matter, inhabit drain pipes and can tolerate a wide range of water temperatures. Most species are harmless, but there are bloodsucking members in the subfamily Phlebotominae, commonly called sand flies (see sand fly), which transmit diseases in some parts of the world.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.