Simuliidae

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Common Name

Blackfly Larvae

Scientific Name

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Diptera

Family

Simuliidae

Lab Storage

Feeding

Collector-filterers. Most species extend their fan-like mouthbrushes to filter suspended particles such as detritus, algae, and bacteria. Species without mouthbrushes feed on periphyton and organic matter attached to substrate.

Water Quality Tolerance

Facultative but somewhat sensitive. Moderate levels of organic matter are beneficial to black fly larvae because the pollution increases the particles that they can feed on.

Fact

5-8mm, range from 3-15mm. The rear segment of their body has a ring of hooks. They have two conspicuous fan-like rows of hairs on either side of the mouth. When alive, these fans actively open and close. The rear one-third of their body is enlarged, giving the appearance of a vase. For more photos, refer to our online gallery: tinyurl.com/sg7ams7

Habitat

Lotic-erosional. Found only in flowing water, but size and velocity of water depends on species. Attaches to rocks, woody debris, vegetation and other stable, solid objects, including human litter discarded into water.

References

Voshell & Wright. 2002.