DIPTERA > NEMATOCERA | Lower Diptera

CULICOMORPHA > Chironomoidea > Simuliidae (35 species)

(subfamilies: none)

Commonly known as Blackflies, but not to be confused with the black aphids that go by the same name. Females of some species are vicious biters of both humans and animals. Larvae are aquatic adapted to living in fast water.

Simuliids are minute to small (1-6mm), stout and usually dark-coloured flies; head rather large and round, with eyes meeting on the top in males, but separated in females; hump-backed, particularly males; wings short and broad with a distinct anal lobe; wings generally clear, although slightly tinged in some species; veins towards the anterior wing margin are thicker with remainder weak and not linked by cross-veins; legs short and stout.

Identification to species is difficult, if not impossible from photos but, in America, Simulium venustrum is said to be easily identified by its very defined white-banded tibia. They call it the Whitestockinged Blackfly. In Britain, Simulium venustrum is regarded as a synonym of Simulium posticatum, the species we know as the notorious Blandford Fly that supposedly originated from the River Stour. Given that Blandford is only a relatively short drive away, I feel that my 'likely' assessment of that species is justified.

Others I have down as Simulium sp. based on information I've been given, whilst some are simply left as unidentified simuliids.

First published, Nov.21 (v.1)