[NatureNS] blackfly bites, or what are they

From: "Paul S. Boyer" <psboyer@eastlink.ca>
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:51:51 -0300
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  &
I would rule out the chiggers and the poison ivy.  I am very familiar with both.

The chigger bites I have experienced are never in the spaced, constellation-distribution you describe.  They also are unlikely to be on open parts of the legs, but rather where clothing is tight, like around the belt-line.

Poison ivy produces irregular areas of reaction, depending on where the oil from the leaves (and other parts of the plant) has made contact.  There is some poison ivy in Nova Scotia, but it is relatively uncommon: I have had to point it out to many long-time residents.  In my opinion, it should be treated as a noxious plant, and should be eliminated as quickly as possible wherever it is found.

The location of the spots on your legs suggests more some nettle-like plant, for some of the various biting insects which have been suggested would just as likely have bitten your arms, next, and upper body parts.


On Aug 22, 2010, at 9:36 AM, Martin Alpert wrote:

> I walked last thurs into North River Fall, in shorts.
> On my lower leg I had quite a few, what looked like, black fly bites. Some 40 on each leg, randomly spaced - not like I brushed into some noxious plant.
> Usually they are no problem and the next day they are almost gone. 
> These itch a little.
> Today is Sunday and there really red and slightly raised.
> Anybody know what happened? 
> 
> Marty

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