Jb. Coupland, FACTORS INFLUENCING NUISANCE BLACKFLY (DIPTERA, SIMULIIDAE) ACTIVITY IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, Medical and veterinary entomology, 8(2), 1994, pp. 125-132
The nuisance activity of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) was investig
ated in several habitats on Speyside, near Kincraig (57-degrees-08'N.
3-degrees-56'W), Invernesshire, in central Scotland during May-October
1987-89. The main blackfly species caught landing/biting on humans we
re Simulium reptans, S. argyreatum, S. variegetum and the S.tuberosum
complex, in order of prevalence. Blackfly biting activity occurred fro
m mid-May to mid-September. Numbers of female blackflies attracted to
volunteers were correlated with their body posture, habitat and the se
ason. Overall, Simulium activity was greatest in mixed birch/juniper f
orest, least in spruce plantations and at intermediate levels on pastu
re, moorland and in Scots Pine forest. Compared with an adult, a child
experienced twice as many Simulium bites per hour (12.2 v 6.3) in the
birch forest. On the child's body, 69% of blackflies landed on the he
ad, neck and back, whereas the majority landed on the legs (48%) and a
rms (28%) of adults. Bending over, especially during the exertion of g
ardening, was more attractive to anthropophilic blackflies than standi
ng or kneeling.