Simuliidae
Pronunciation: [Sigh·mew·LEE·i⋅dae]
Common Name: Black Flies; Buffalo Gnats
Description: Black flies are small, humpbacked flies with short, multi-segmented antennae. The females are vicious biters that suck blood. Larvae are aquatic filter-feeders. They have a disc-like anal sucker for attaching themselves to underwater substrates in rivers and streams.
Spot ID Key Characters:
- Short, multi-segmented antennae
- Thorax humpbacked in profile
- Gray or black body color
- Wing veins heaviest and thickest near the anterior margin
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Order: Diptera
