Blackflies
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Abstract
Bites by insects induce toxic and specific sensitisation to saliva proteins and may by associated with cutaneuous or systematic hypersensitivity reactions. More severe local reactions, including swellings of several centimeters, bullae and pustular reactions, occur and are sometimes accompanied by fever, lymphadenopathy and malaise. Biting flies of the Diptera order and specifically the black fly (Simuliidae family) can be rare causes of severe hypersensitivity reactions. The medical, veterinary and allergologic importance of blackflies in Poland and Europe are reviewed in this paper. Simuliids are small stout flies with an unusually pronounced curved thorax, this has led to the colloquial name of buffalo gnats. It is only the females that feed on blood with males being nectar feeders. The family contains approximately 1500 species and four genera, the Austrosimulium, Cnephia, Prosimulium and Simulium are of economic importance. Black flies have a life cycle with an aquatic larval stage which can occur in very dense numbers in fast flowing waters. The flies can form into swarms so thick that severe economic losses can result and in extreme cases death of livestock. Death can be caused by a combination of anaphylactic shock from bites, blood loss and respiratory problems due to the inhalation of flies. Black flies are important vectors of various pathogens the most important of which is the filarial worm Onchocera volvulus which causes river blindness in humans.
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Address reprint requests to: Medical Education, Marcin Kuźma (marcin.kuzma@mededu.pl)
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