**14.6 Black flies**

A black fly sometimes called a buffalo gnat, turkey gnat or white socks, is any member of the family Simuliidae. Black flies occur around the world and there are about 1300 species in the genus *Simulium* (**Figure 19**). The buffalo gnat blackflies are stout-bodied, about 1–5 mm long, and usually black in color, although orange and yellow species exist as well. They have relatively large eyes, legs are short, and the wings are short, broad and colorless. Black fly bites in daytime out of doors and some species prefer to feed only on certain parts of the body, for example, the legs or the upper part of the body. Black flies prefer to lay eggs in swift oxygen-rich running water in streams, rivers and spillways of dams, and are deposited on objects or near the surface of the water. In the tropics, the eggs usually hatch after 14 days. After the eggs hatch (1–4 weeks), larvae attach to the submerged objects and remain there for about a month. The larvae do not swim (usually symptomless), continuing attached to submerged flora, stones and other substrates, and forage on tiny suspended particles. Based upon climate, the larval stage persists from 1 week to many months. The pupae are as well attached to submerged things

**Figure 18.** Glossina brevipalpis*.*

**14.8 Biting midges**

phlebotomine sand flies.

**Figure 21.**

**35**

**Figure 20.**

Phlebotomus papatasi*.*

Culicoides sonorensis*.*

Biting midges (no-seeums, punkies) are blood sucking flies and about 1.5 mm in

The lifecycle of this genus involves aquatic breeding places, elevated surface of mud or wet soil primarily temporary pools, decaying leaf litter and objects near or partially in water. The larvae feed on decaying organic matter and the time taken for development from egg to adult may be 2–4 weeks. It is an important vector for blue-tongue virus in many animal species as well as being a pest. Individual midges can cause a painful bite, but they are considered to be an especially severe pest because of their habit of attacking in swarms of hundreds or thousands. Ceratopogonidae is an example of family that includes serious blood-sucking *Culicoides sonorensis* Wirth & Jones (**Figure 21**) feeding both on humans and

length. The most important genus *Culicoides*, is distributed worldwide and can cause a serious biting problem, as can the genus *Leptoconops.* These insects are vectors of the human filariae parasites *Mansonella ozzardi* and *Mansonella perstans* (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) that are mostly deliberated to be not hurtful to humans. These insects are termed as sand flies in certain regions of the world, however these may be differentiated from phlebotomine sand flies using the point that while midges are at relaxation wings are bent uniform on body; moreover, these frequently fly in crowds nearby head or other uncovered parts of body and do not flutter in a hopping mode by several landings and short flights, as is done by

*Typical Flies: Natural History, Lifestyle and Diversity of Diptera*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91391*

**Figure 19.** Simulium *black fly.*

and when the larval stage pupates, adults develop in about a week. Although small in size, the adults are good flyers and may go several kilometers in search of food [85].

Onchocerciasis, too known as river blindness, is a sickness initiated by infection by the parasitic nematode *Onchocerca volvulus*. Warning signs comprise intense itching, bumps below the skin and loss of sight. The parasite worm is transported by the bites of a *Simulium* type black fly. Only adult females are blood feeders, wherein the best significant species are *Simulium neavei* Roubaud and members of *Simulium damnosum* Theobald complex. Additionally, black flies are of severe annoyance in numerous regions of the world for the reason that of their painful bites and from time to time huge numbers involved in invasions. Black fly bites can create localized inflammation and swelling, and extreme irritation of skin lasting for days or weeks. Usually, black flies do not come into houses, but bite in the daytime and outdoors, especially along riverbanks. Certain species show a strong preference for biting specific parts of the body, for example, *S. damnosum* in West Africa mainly attacks the legs. Most species feed predominantly on birds or mammals, while several feed on humans [86].

### **14.7 Phlebotomine sandflies**

Sand flies (Psychodidae) are about 1.5–4 mm long, have a hairy exterior, visible black eyes and lengthy stilt-like legs. They have a typical jumping flight with several short flights and landings. Contrary to all other biting Diptera, when at rest, their wings are held upright above the body. Sand flies are minute blood sucking flies that are key as vectors of leishmaniasis and can cause a severe biting nuisance, but limited to a small area. Species that take place in the Mediterranean area can spread sand fly fever that is a viral disease likewise recognized as pappataci fever or 3-day fever. The breeding places for this genus appear to be mainly non-aquatic situations. The life cycle may last from 1 to 4 months, depending on species and temperature, although it usually lasts less than 45 days. Sand flies feed on plant juices, but mostly the females need a blood meal in order to develop eggs. The cattle provide an abundant source of blood, while the stables and houses provide suitable resting places. Blood is taken from humans and animals such as dogs, farm livestock, wild rodents, snakes, lizards and birds [87].

The sand fly *Phlebotomus papatasi* (Scopoli) (**Figure 20**), is the main vector of the Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis. It is distributed from Morocco to the Indian subcontinent and from southern Europe to central and eastern Africa [88].
