Colonization of perspex strips by larvae of Austrosimulium bancrofti (Taylor) near Ipswich,Queensland

Larvae of the Taxon Austrosimulium bancrofti (Taylor) were collected from perspex strips placed in rapids of the Brisbane River during January (summer) and October (spring). Separation of larvae according to the mixture approach to clustering demonstrated that: a) October cluster I larvae were larger and underwent an additional cluster to those collected in January, b) there was an additional cluster of larvae in each month, which correlated with the percentage of A. bancrofti Ipswich B that were identified cytologically, and c) greater numbers of later cluster larvae were collected from the strips than early clusters.Multivariate analysis demonstrated that distance from the lip of the rapids, strip texture and water velocity had a significant effect on the number of larvae colonizing perspex strips. Numbers increased with: a) decreasing distance from the lip of the rapids, b) increasing surface area of roughened strips and c) water velocity in the range 1.00 < X 1.38ms^–1. The influence of adult female oviposition behaviour, larval behaviour, sampling time and technique are discussed in relation to the parameters that influenced the colonization of artificial substrates.     

贵州蚋属一新种 (双翅目：蚋科)

 记述采自贵州雷公山的蚋属一新种, 显著蚋Simulium (Simulium) prominentum, 新种 。根据其蛹和幼虫的特征显著而命名, 对其幼期形态进行描述并与其近缘种作分类讨论。     

贵州蚋属一新种(双翅目：蚋科)

记述采自贵州雷公山的蚋属一新种, 显著蚋Simulium (Simulium) prominentum, 新种。根据其蛹和幼虫的特征显著而命名, 对其幼期形态进行描述并与其近缘种作分类讨论。     

Factors influencing nuisance blackfly (Diptera: Simuliidae) activity in the Scottish Highlands

Abstract. The nuisance activity of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) was investigated in several habitats on Speyside, near Kincraig (57^o08'N, 3^o56'W), Invernesshire, in central Scotland during May-October 1987-89.
The main blackfly species caught landing/biting on humans were Simulium reptans, S. argyreatum, S. variegetum and the S. tuberosum complex, in order of prevalence. Blackfly biting activity occurred from mid-May to mid-September. Numbers of female blackflies attracted to volunteers were correlated with their body posture, habitat and the season. Overall, Simulium activity was greatest in mixed birch/juniper forest, least in spruce plantations and at intermediate levels on pasture, moorland and in Scots Pine forest.
Compared with an adult, a child experienced twice as many Simulium bites per hour (12.2 v 6.3) in the birch forest. On the child's body, 69% of blackfiies landed on the head, neck and back, whereas the majority landed on the legs (48%) and arms (28%) of adults. Bending over, especially during the exertion of gardening, was more attractive to anthropophilic blackfiies than standing or kneeling.     

Feeding by blackfly larvae (Diptera: Simuliidae) forming dense aggregations at lake outlets

1. Larvae of Simulium noelleri formed dense aggregations (>60 larvae cm^?2) at a lake outlet where water passed in a very thin film vertically over wooden planks. Despite the high densities there was sufficient space between larvae to allow water to flow within an aggregation as well as over its surface. 2. Small larvae, occluded within an aggregation, had a faster midgut throughput rate than larger larvae. Both had rates that were similar to those recorded in the literature for a range of habitats and species. The same relationship of throughput rate and larval size was maintained from upstream to downstream across 20cm of an aggregation. 3. Material passed through the midgut of larvae of a given size at a constant rate, indicating that assimilation efficiency of the whole gut contents was low. 4. By colour-banding larval gut contents with fluorescent dye it was possible to demonstrate that faecal pellets are a component of the larval diet in the dense aggregations, especially of small larvae. 5. The abundance of four easily identifiable components of the lake seston were measured from water samples above, and below, a larval aggregation. Particles with a mean diameter of 40 μm, or greater, showed significant reductions in numbers over a stream length of 6cm. Particles of smaller size showed reductions but these were not significant.     

The reaction of larvae of Simulium noelleri (Diptera) to different current velocities

Larvae of Simulium noelleri Friederichs aggregate at high population densities (more than 10² cm^–2) on sluices, dams, and spillways. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory trough to assess the reaction of larvae to different current velocities (velocities ranged from 5–49 cm s^–1). In the lower part of the range of water velocities used, larvae moved a greater distance upstream from where they had been located. Larger larvae always showed a greater tendency to move than did smaller larvae, whatever the velocity. This intraspecific variation in reaction to different current velocities allows the aggregation of larvae of mixed sizes at suitable sites, smaller individuals being occluded by those that are larger.     

Some boundary layer characteristics of microhabitats occupied by larval black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Microhabitats occupied by larvae of 12 species or complexes of black flies at 30 sites in western Canada were investigated for fluid flow parameters. An attached boundary layer was a feature of almost all microhabitats occupied by larvae of black flies. Although not measured directly, acceleration of water resulting from flow around an object appeared to alter flow characteristics and make microhabitats more favourable. This predictability in the flow characteristics of microhabitats occupied by larvae of black flies implies that the contagious dispersion of these larvae is a response to the heterogeneity of flow over a stream bed. It is suggested that microhabitats characterized by suitable flow characteristics may constitute a resource that limits population size. Larvae occupied microhabitats with both laminar and turbulent boundary layers, and were found in microhabitats with a wide range of water velocities. Mainstream flow parameters investigated were; water velocity, water depth, and whether flow was subcritical, critical or supercritical. Boundary layer parameters investigated were; whether flow was laminar or turbulent, and the point at which separation from the substratum occurred.     

Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis as a biocide of blackfly larvae (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Thirteen strains of Bacillus thuringiensis were bioassayed against late-instar larvae of field-collected Simulium vittatum. All 13 strains caused significant blackfly mortality. The mortalities ranged from 64% for the HD 225 strain to 88% for HD 39 at 10 ppm for a 24-hr exposure period. A minimum 24 hr of exposure to a minimum concentration of 10 ppm was required to produce mortalities approximating 90%. The LC₅₀ values for the HD 39 and HD 225 strains were 1.1 and 1.0 ppm, respectively.     

Unsuitability of introduced tiles for sampling blackfly larvae (Diptera: Simuliidae)*

SUMMARY. 1. Blackfly larvae were collected from twenty-one stations in five lake outlets in Southern Quebec. Tiles (total area=500cm²) were introduced in early March, and collected 4 weeks later: randomly selected rocks (30–500cm) from the surrounding area were collected at the same time. 2. Larval densities on tiles were significantly less variable than on rocks. The variance of density estimates on tiles averaged 36% of the observed variance on natural rocks, or 67% when variance on rocks was corrected for average rock size. 3. Tiles significantly overestimated densities on rocks in some streams, and significantly underestimated them in others. These differences could not be explained by microhabitat differences (distance from the lake, depth, current velocity) between rock and tile samples. The bias that tiles introduce in density estimates precludes their use in comparisons among sites.     

Oviposition habits of a univoltine blackfly, Prosimulium kiotoense (Diptera: Simuliidae), in Kyushu, Japan

Oviposition habits of a univoltine mammalophilic blackfly, Prosimulium kiotoense Shiraki, were investigated at a stream in Kyushu Island, Japan. The flies oviposited on bryophyte mosses growing on river bank rock surfaces. The eggs were laid singly, but large irregular egg masses were often formed because many females oviposited within the same small areas. Wet sites with dense bryophyte cover at heights between 0 and 15 cm above water level were selected for oviposition. Oviposition activity was observed in the latter half of April. P. kioteonse females came to the site to lay eggs after 11.00 hours in the morning, when air temperature rose to about 15 degrees C. Peak ovipositional activity occurred between 12.00 and 14.00 hours.     

Variation in larval black fly populations at three sites in a stream system over five years (Diptera:Simuliidae)

Five years of monthly samples taken from three sites in the Broad Cove River, two at lake outlets and one a kilometer downstream from an outlet were analyzed. Considerable variations in the population of each species between sites and years were observed. Fluctuations in the populations were not always consistent from site to site or between species at the same site from one year to the next. As all sites were on the same stream and within 3 km of each other with only slight altitude differences climatic factors were not a major factor producing variations observed between sites. Also the previous years population level did not appear to be directly related to the following seasons population level. Apparently localized conditions at a site were exerting a marked influence on the larval simuliid population at each site.     

Diel emigration and colonization responses of blackfly larvae (Diptera: Simuliidae) to ultraviolet radiation

1. Total counts of blackfly larvae densities over 30- and 57-h periods in experimental channels during May of 1996 & 1997 indicate that ultraviolet radiation (UV; 290–400 nm) may be important in stimulating emigration.
2. Under experimentally controlled solar UV exposure, larval densities at dawn in UV-shielded channels were 161% and 168% higher than in the UV-exposed channels. Larval densities in UV-exposed channels then decreased by 68.2% and 81.1% between dawn and early afternoon of the two days; density decreases in UV-shielded channels were slight, and not statistically significant, during the same periods.
3. Larvae within UV-exposed channels occupied shaded microhabitats during hours of intense solar radiation, suggesting that simuliid larvae can detect and respond to UV radiation over very short periods of time.
4. A cyclical pattern of UV-induced emigration during hours of increasing solar flux (06.30–13.30) and net immigration in the hours of decreasing solar flux and at night emerged. Thus stream invertebrates may be very sensitive to environmental changes, resulting in either increased UV flux or decreased shading of streams. Diel cycles in invertebrate densities should be taken into account in research designs and sampling protocols in order to identify and interpret correctly results of both periodic surveys and experiments.     

Drift behaviour and microhabitat selection in the preimaginal stages of Simulium chutteri (Diptera Simuliidae)

The aquatic stages of the cattle biting pest, Simulium chutteri Lewis utilize river flow in their dispersal and colonization behaviour. Peaks of drifting activity in S. chutteri larvae occurred in the early morning and late afternoon. It is deduced that female flies scatter eggs onto slow flowing waters upstream of rapids. Larvae hatch from drifting eggs and colonize substrates in slower flowing regions upstream of rapids, while later stage instars move into faster flowing regions within rapids where they complete their development. This microhabitat selection by S. chutteri leads to rapid attainment of large population sizes in suitable sections of river and reduces competition between different stage larvae. In their utilization of a variety of microhabitats the larvae of this species differ from co-existing simuliid species which restrict developmental stages to single habitats.Catastrophic drift was recorded for S. chutteri larvae and could be a mechanism to regulate population size.Drift of simuliid larvae off rapids was not related to benthic population densities in the rapids and was therefore not due to excessive production. It is concluded that larval drift off rapids is related to habitat disturbances associated with water flow fluctuations and the activity of aquatic predators and other animals.The distribution of S. chutteri in the Vaal River is restricted by oviposition requirements of the adult female. Knowledge of drift behaviour and water flow requirements of Simuliidae have been applied to manage the population size of S. chutteri in the Vaal River.     

Recovery of DNA barcodes from blackfly museum specimens (Diptera: Simuliidae) using primer sets that target a variety of sequence lengths

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of various primers for the purpose of DNA barcoding old, pinned museum specimens of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae). We analysed 271 pinned specimens representing two genera and at least 36 species. Due to the age of our material, we targeted overlapping DNA fragments ranging in size from 94 to 407 bp. We were able to recover valid sequences from 215 specimens, of which 18% had 500‐ to 658‐bp barcodes, 36% had 201‐ to 499‐bp barcodes and 46% had 65‐ to 200‐bp barcodes. Our study demonstrates the importance of choosing suitable primers when dealing with older specimens and shows that even very short sequences can be diagnostically informative provided that an appropriate gene region is used. Our study also highlights the lack of knowledge surrounding blackfly taxonomy, and we briefly discuss the need for further phylogenetic studies in this socioeconomically important family of insects.     

Different life history strategies in lake-outlet blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae)

The life histories of Simulium noelleri Fried. and S. truncatum Ldstr. were studied at a lake-outlet site in Finland. A detailed study was made of the second summer generation of both species and this consisted of a single, synchronized cohort in S. noelleri, and overlapped cohorts in S. truncatum. Larvae of the two species also show differences in their habitat preference: those of S. noelleri predominate on the sluice which marks the beginning of the river, and S. truncatum larvae just downstream from the sluice. In winter, the latter site was dominated by immature individuals of two other species, S. erythrocephalum de Geer and S. equinum L., and these were found downstream from the two ‘lake-outlet’ species during the summer. Adult females of S. noelleri are able to mature a first batch of eggs without taking a blood meal but those of S. truncatum need to feed on blood before eggs can be fully developed. The consequences of these different reproductive strategies on the ecology of individuals of the two species is discussed.     

Contribution to the blackfly fauna (Diptera: Simuliidae) of Iran

A collection of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) from western Iran was examined, four species were recorded. Three new species are described: Tetisimulium iranicum sp. n., Wilhelmia lurestanica sp. n., and Crosskeyellum zagros sp. n. The presence of Tetisimulium coarctatum (Rubzov, 1940) in Iran is confirmed.     

Global diversity of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in freshwater

Black flies are a worldwide family of nematocerous Diptera whose immature stages are confined to running waters. They are key organisms in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but are perhaps best known for the bloodsucking habits of adult females. Attacks by black flies are responsible for reduced tourism, deaths in wild and domestic birds and mammals, and transmission of parasitic diseases to hosts, including humans. About 2,000 nominal species are currently recognized; however, certain geographical regions remain inadequately surveyed. Furthermore, studies of the giant polytene chromosomes of larvae reveal that many morphologically recognized species actually consist of two or more structurally indistinguishable (yet reproductively isolated) sibling species. Calculations derived from the best-known regional fauna—the Nearctic Region—reveal that the actual number of World black fly species exceeds 3,000. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Guest editors: E.V. Balian, C. Lévêque, H. Segers & K. Martens Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment     

Growth,respiration, and assimilation of blackfly larvae (Diptera: Simuliidae) in a lake-outlet in Finland

Summary A field experiment on feeding-rate in blackfly larvae (Diptera: Simuliidae) was conducted in the River Teuronjoki near its origin from Lake Pääjärvi, Finland. Small larvae were seen to feed more rapidly than large larvae.The increase in mean body-tissue weight of the larvae in Teuronjoki was determined and, from this relationship, growth-rate day^-1 for the larvae was obtained.In the laboratory, respiration-rate was determined for larvae of known body-tissue weight. Experiments were conducted when animals were feeding to replicate, as closely as possible, the conditions in the field. Respiration costs were higher for small, than for large, larvae.Estimates of assimilation-rate could be obtained by addition of growthrate and respiration-rate for larvae of given body-tissue weight. As the weight of material ingested per unit of time was known it was therefore possible to calculate assimilation efficiency. The values given in this study are the lowest yet recorded for freshwater detritivores.The study was conducted at Lammi Biological Station, University of Helsinki, Finland