An investigation of the blackfly fauna of Andalusia, southern Spain (Diptera : Simuliidae)

A detailed account is provided of the blackfly (Simuliidae) fauna of Andalu sia, southern Spain. The work is based on a study of 14 204 specimens, of w hich 13 733 were collected by the authors from a total of 137 positive samp ling sites during prospections made mainly in early summer 1986 and in the spring seasons of 1994-1998. In all, 25 identified species and two possible species of uncertain identity are recorded. The topographical and climatic background is briefly described, data from previous literature and materia l from earlier collections are covered, a checklist of the blackflies of Sp ain and Portugal is provided, and the character of the simuliid fauna is di scussed for areas within and outside Andalusia.