| Common Name |
Blackfly Larvae |
| Phylum |
Arthropoda |
| Class |
Insecta |
| Order |
Diptera |
| Family |
Simuliidae |
| Description |
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. |
| Feeding Information |
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. |
| References |
Voshell & Wright. 2002. |
