Biting Flies!
There are several types of flies that bite. Black Flies, Horse Flies, Stable Flies, Deer Flies, and tiny Biting Midges, called no-see-ums. In the southern states they also have Sand Flies. Sand Flies can be found were there is sand. They lay their eggs in wet sand and on washed up seaweed. They can be pests of the highest order. Since we are nowhere near the beaches in Tennessee I’m concentrating on the others for this post.
First up are Black flies. There are over 1,800 different species of Black flies in the world, and 11 of them are extinct. Most Black flies gain their nourishment from blood, the males can eat nectar and help out by pollinating plants. They are small( ¼ of and inch long) grey or black with wings and they have antennas. In Africa, Southern America’s (as in Mexico and other countries), and Central America they spread diseases. Thankfully here in the states we don’t have that worry for us humans, for livestock that is a different matter. In Canada there has been several cases documented of cattle actually dying from Black Fly bites.
Black flies are a good sign to tell if the water system is polluted, they are sensitive to water pollution. They lay their eggs in running water and when they hatch the larvae attach themselves to rocks. As larvae they feed on algae and other small organisms. When they develop from pupa form (they develop in a cocoon underwater) to adults they will immerge from the water in a bubble of air. Trout often feed on them.
They prefer to feed during daytime hours when the wind speed is low. They can travel far from their source of water. In Africa one species can travel up to 40 miles in search of a host. Depending on the conditions and the species they can lay eggs anywhere from 1 time a year to repeatedly over the season. They are known to be restful during the night.
They do not suck blood like ticks or mosquitoes do. They are not equipped for that. They do have mouthparts that act like scissors and they will slash the skin open. Once blood has risen to the surface of the skin they lap it up. Their saliva contains chemicals to partially numb the nerves and an anticoagulant to keep the blood from clotting. These chemicals cause the skin around the bite to swell and itch. The female uses temperature-sensitive cells in the tip of her antennae to help find victims. She also uses sight, and seems to be attracted to the color blue, such as a blue jacket, shirt, or jeans.
Because flies follow each other in swarms, we are likely to get several bites at a time.
This Video is by Christopher Hinton and the music is by the folk singer Wade Hemsworth. It is based on his experiences with Black Flies. My favorite part is the scubba diving Black Flies:)
The video was cute! I love you!
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