Black flies

Definition

Small, blood-sucking dipteran flies of the family Simuliidae (infraorder Culicomorpha), characterized by a humpbacked thorax, short antennae, and aquatic larval stages in fast-flowing freshwater. Adults are notorious biting pests of humans, livestock, and wildlife; females require blood meals for egg development. Certain species are vectors of the nematode Onchocerca volvulus, the causative agent of human onchocerciasis (river blindness).

Etymology

From the characteristic dark coloration of the adult body and wings.

Example

Outbreaks of Simulium damnosum in West Africa necessitate vector control programs to interrupt transmission of onchocerciasis.

Synonyms

• simuliids
• buffalo gnats
• turkey gnats

Related Terms

• Culicomorpha
• Ceratopogonidae
• Chironomidae
• Simulium
• Onchocerciasis
• river blindness
• Vector
• blood feeder

Usage Notes

The common name refers specifically to family Simuliidae, not to dark-colored muscids or other flies. Regional variants include 'buffalo gnat' (North America, referring to the humpbacked thorax) and 'turkey gnat' (southeastern United States). Distinguish from house flies (Muscidae) or other dark Diptera by the combination of small size (2–5 mm), short 11-segmented antennae, and wing venation with a characteristic 'venation fork' pattern. The singular 'blackfly' (one word) appears in some literature but 'black fly' (two words) predominates in modern entomological usage.