Tiny Flies or ants?

[jerlenaz]

Here is the background of this new pest. About 6 weeks ago, started smelling a rotting animal and noticing large black flies. After opening up a wall in a back bathroom that is under construction, discovered the source (a possum). Cleaned out the space and started doing smell abatement.

About 3 weeks AFTER removing the possum, started seeing large black flies. Figured that might have been residue maggots from the dead animal removal that I couldn't find.

The large black flies have abated (they were around for maybe a week), but am now seeing these tiny bugs in the same area. They are maybe 1-2cm. Have never seen anything like this before. They cluster around the windows during the day and I don't see them at night. They seem to have wings, but are not flying, just crawling like ants would, but can't find a trail or main source.

I am located in New Orleans, LA. Any identification suggestions or how I might treat the area to prevent them from coming back would be helpful.

photos.app.goo.gl/6xUmLBWh6PgemURY9


photos.app.goo.gl/7rTFyqqaUyYvm4Z1A


photos.app.goo.gl/wpymjycEPPivP97R9

[marsdenda]

Could be adult beetles whose larvae feed on carrion. Beetles in the Staphylinidae and Silphidae families feed on carrion and have black species with reduced eletra (wings) in the adults.

Dave

[jerlenaz]

marsdenda thanks for the quick reply. I just added some pictures. in doing some additional research, I think they are closer to the rove beetles, but didn't seem to have as elongated as a body. Would the beetles have stuck around 3-4 weeks after the carrion was removed? Should I be searching elsewhere for some rotting/decaying material they may be coming from?

[marsdenda]

The adults are the ones that find the decaying flesh and lay their eggs. My guess is the larvae developed in the rotting possum and they crawled out to pupate and the adults you are seeing are the adults emerging from the pupae that came out of the original possum. Hopefully they will disappear in a week or so when they have all emerged. The beetles can lay lots of eggs so having a few dozen adults would not be unexpected.

Dave