Cedar Creek
Ecosystem Science Reserve
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Insects of Cedar Creek
Order DIPTERA
Family SIMULIIDAE
(Black Flies)
Black Flies (143 NA spp) can be intolerable in northern Minnesota, and
at Cedar Creek can be extremely bothersome in early spring and early fall.
18 species and 2 subspecies are reported for Minnesota (Nicholson and Mickel,
1950). Larvae are aquatic filter feeders attaching themselves to submerged
stones or other objects in flowing waters. Adult females are relentless
in their pursuit of vertebrate blood. They attack vulnerable parts of the
face--lips, eyelids, earlobes; and in many cause an allergic swelling.
Fewer than 5 species have been collected at Cedar Creek in the genera
Simulium,
Prosimulium,
and Cnephia.
REFERENCES
Nicholson HP and CE Mickel (1950). The Black Flies of Minnesota
(Simuliidae). U/MN Ag Expt Sta Tech Bull 192