Black fly
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 Simulium yahense
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A black fly (sometimes called a buffalo gnat, turkey gnat or white socks) is any member of the family Simuliidae of the Culicomorpha infraorder. They are related to the Ceratopogonidae, Chironomidae, and Thaumaleidae. There are over 1800 known species of black flies (of which 11 are extinct). The majority of species belong to the immense genus Simulium. Like mosquitoes, to which they are related, most black flies gain nourishment by sucking the blood of other animals, although the males feed mainly on nectar. They are usually small, black or gray, with short legs and antennae. They are a common nuisance for humans, and many U.S. states have programs to suppress the black fly population. They spread several diseases, including river blindness in Africa (Simulium damnosum und S. neavei) and America (Simulium callidum and S. metallicum in Central America, also S. ochraceum in Central and South America).
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[edit] Regional effects of black fly populations
- In the wetter parts of the northern latitudes of North America, including parts of Canada, New England and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, black fly populations swell from Mid-May to July, becoming a nuisance to humans engaging in common outdoor activitites such as boating, camping and backpacking.
- In Canada, black flies are a scourge to livestock, causing weight loss in cattle and in some cases, death. [1]
[edit] Ecology
Eggs are laid in running water, and the larvae attach themselves to rocks. They use tiny hooks at the end of their abdomen to hold on to the substrate, often using silk holdfasts and lines to move or hold their place. They have foldable fans surrounding their mouths. When feeding, the fans expand, catching passing debris (small organic particles, algae and bacteria). Every few seconds, the larva scraps the fan's catch into its mouth. Black flies depend on lotic habitats to bring food to them. They will pupate under water and then emerge in a bubble of air as flying adults. During this emergence, they are often preyed upon by trout.
[edit] References
- Black Flies Fact Sheet from Ohio State University
- Extensive Simuliidae (black fly) Web pages at blackfly.org.uk
- Black fly species inventory
- Black fly fact sheet from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- FAQ about black flies in Maine
[edit] See also
- Blackfly season (novel), by Giles Blunt
- "The Black Fly Song", a song by Wade Hemsworth inspired by his experiences with them
