Nuisance Psychoda alternata (Diptera: Psychodidae) developing in potted plants at a commercial nursery

Moth flies (Psychoda alternata Say) were reported emerging in large numbers from potted plants at a commercial nursery near Fort White, Columbia County, FL and causing an annoyance and potentially a public health nuisance at neighboring residences. The distribution of its fly immature stages in the soil of recently re-potted plants was investigated. Two species of plants from the commercial nursery were selected, soil samples were taken at different depths and positions and each soil sample was extracted using a technique for nematode extraction from soil. Larvae and pupae of P. alternata moth flies were identified in the samples. Psychoda alternata is commonly found breeding in trickling filters and this is the first record of it being an important nuisance pest in newly potted plants.