ScientificName: Calliphoridae

Description: Adult black flies are small insects that measure 1 to 5 mm in length, and possess a shiny thorax (middle of the fly) that ranges in color from black to various shades of gray or yellow.

Habitat/Food: Adult females feed on the blood of humans, cattle, horses, sheep, goats, poultry, other livestock and wild mammals and birds.Black flies are daytime biters preferring low wind conditions.

Life Cycle: Females deposit eggs, 200 to 800 per female, on vegetation just below the water surface.Emerging adults live from two to three weeks, to as long as 85 days.

Organic Control: Organic plant material

Interesting Fact: Several cases of chicken mortality attributed to black fly feeding were reported in Florida during the first three months of 1998.

Problems Caused:Female black flies are blood feeders whose bites can itch and persist for several days. The flies bite by cutting into the skin and feeding on the pool of blood that forms in the hole they make.Strong reactions include fever, nausea and allergic dermatitis.