what kind of bugs are these?

johnthelandlord (Los Angeles California, Zone 10B)

last year

last modified: last year

Are these baby roaches? It's on a used garbage disposal I ordered on eBay that was supposed to be new. It smelled like rotten food. The insects were all dead as far as I can tell . See pictures below...

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johnthelandlord (Los Angeles California, Zone 10B)
Original Author

last year

Thank you for the replies. So I posted on the FB insect ID group and got plenty of responses. I have come to the conclusion that they are Phorid Fly Pupae. They look exactly like that when I compared the pictures online. Here is the close up... It's somewhat dehydrated I guess because it's been dead for a while.

Here is the Phorid (Scuttle) fly:

and the regular Fruit Fly

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Comments (12)

PRO
The Logician LLC
last year
I do not see enough body segments or the long antennae of roach nymphs in the photos.
johnthelandlord (Los Angeles California, Zone 10B) thanked The Logician LLC
johnthelandlord (Los Angeles California, Zone 10B)
Original Author
last year
^ what do you think they are then?
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Fori
last year
Can you zoom in for a photo? I'm guessing they are some sort of fly larvae and/or pupae. Not houseflies, though.

I would not be pleased with my "new" purchase either.
johnthelandlord (Los Angeles California, Zone 10B) thanked Fori
PRO
The Logician LLC
last year
Often I can be definite about what an insect is not, so that answered the baby roach question.

I do not know precisely what they are. Since they are seemingly dead, and if a larva of some kind that does not lay eggs, then the disposal assembly can be thoroughly cleaned and used without fear of more insects appearing. Perhaps the seller does partial refunds.
johnthelandlord (Los Angeles California, Zone 10B) thanked The Logician LLC
Fori
last year
Heh. I concur. Not baby cockroaches. And not coming back. But I'd still want to know. :)
johnthelandlord (Los Angeles California, Zone 10B) thanked Fori
Fori
last year
Excellent!

Now to deal with that shady eBay seller...
johnthelandlord (Los Angeles California, Zone 10B)
Original Author
last year
He already refunded me. I am still considering negative feedback but don't like bad karma..
Fori
last year
I guess if he also apologized for the error... :)
johnthelandlord (Los Angeles California, Zone 10B)
Original Author
last year
Hi didn't...that's why I am still considering negative..
PRO
The Logician LLC
last year
Adult phorid flies have been identified here before; thanks for the images of their larvae.
johnthelandlord (Los Angeles California, Zone 10B) thanked The Logician LLC
johnthelandlord (Los Angeles California, Zone 10B)
Original Author
last year
Glad to contribute : )