Difference between revisions of "Simuliidae"
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(Created page with '*Also known as buffalo gnats *Found worldwide *Attacks a wide variety of hosts, including animals, birds and humans '''Recognition''' *Small flies 2-4mm long *Black colourin…') |
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Revision as of 13:35, 5 April 2010
- Also known as buffalo gnats
- Found worldwide
- Attacks a wide variety of hosts, including animals, birds and humans
Recognition
- Small flies 2-4mm long
- Black colouring
- Arched thorax giving a 'hump-backed' appearance
- Short, hairless antennae
- Clear wings
- No hairs or scales on wings
Life cycle
- Eggs laid on plants or stones under flowing water
- Larvae attach to submerged rocks and pupate
- Conical shaped cocoon
- Adults emerge en masse
- Life cycle takes 1 month to complete
Pathogenesis
- Most active in the morning and evening on warm, cloudy days
- Cause painful, irritating bites
- Only females suck blood
- Cause anaemia if present in large numbers
- Vectors for disease
- Viruses such as Eastern equine encephalitis and vesicular stomatitis
- Parasites such as O. volvulus of cattle and Leucocytozoon of avian species
- Protozoal skin infections
- Causes skin infections
- Onchocerciasis
- Involved in cutaneous habronemiasis
- Involved in stephanofilariasis
Control
- In warmer climates
- Insecticides applied to breeding sites
- Brush cleared to deprive the adult flies of resting sites
- Not needed in temperate climates