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Family Simuliidae

(Black flies)

Soil & Water Conservation Society of Metro Halifax (SWCSMH)

Updated: October 09, 2013

Linnean system of hierarchical classification (Williams & Feltmate, 1992):

Superphylum Arthropoda

(jointed-legged metazoan animals [Gr, arthron = joint; pous = foot])

Phylum Entoma
Subphylum Uniramia

(L, unus = one; ramus = branch, referring to the unbranched nature of the appendages)

Superclass Hexapoda

(Gr, hex = six, pous = foot)

Class Insecta

(L, insectum meaning cut into sections)

Subclass Ptilota
Infraclass Neopterygota
Order Diptera

Introduction

The simuliidae, or black flies, comprise a cosmopolitan family of biting flies of great importance in many parts of the world as bloodsuckers and vectors of certain parasitic organisms (e.g. filarial worms).

Synchronised, mass emergences frequently occur, particularly in temperate regions, and these may persist for much of the spring and early summer as successive species mature. The sheer numbers of blood-seeking adults make such outbreaks especially dangerous to livestock and humans. For example, in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada, maximum attack rates of Simulium venustum on humans, in June, have been recorded at 78 flies/6.5 sq.cm. of skin/min (landing rate) and 17 flies/6.5 sq.cm./min (biting rate).

Life History, Habitat and Feeding

The larvae and pupae are aquatic but are confined to running waters where they attach themselves to firm, usually smooth, substrates. The outlets of ponds and lakes are particularly favoured and productive habitats.

Most temperate and subarctic black fly species are univoltine but those in the tropics and subtropics, which may breed continually, may have four or more generations in a year.

Larvae may moult from 6 to 9 times (typically 7) before pupating, with the rate of growth depending largely on water temperature and the amount and quality of food that each larva can catch. The duration of the pupal stage is commonly 1 week or less.

References and web URLs:

Narf, R. 1997. Midges, bugs, whirligigs and others: The distribution of insects in Lake "U-Name-It". Lakeline. N. Am. Lake Manage. Soc. 16-17, 57-62.
Peckarsky, B.L., P.R. Fraissinet, M.A. Penton, and D.J. Conklin, Jr. 1990. Freshwater Macroinvertebrates of Northeastern North America. Cornell Univ. Press. xii, 442pp.
Williams, D.D., and Feltmate, B.W. 1992. Aquatic Insects. CAB International. ISBN: 0-85198-782-6. xiii, 358p.

Mandaville, S.M. 1999. Bioassessment of Freshwaters Using Benthic Macroinvertebrates-A Primer. First Ed. Project E-1, Soil & Water Conservation Society of Metro Halifax. viii, Chapters I-XXVII, Appendices A-D. 244p.
- For the entire Report, download all the files in the subdirectory, Primer1
- Chapter XVI: Family Simuliidae (black flies)

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