Simuliidae

Introduction

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