carcasses, meat scraps, and decaying vegetable matter. Adults are strong fliers and
are attracted to ovipositor (egg laying) sites from long distances.'
c. Sand FIies (Phlebotomines). Sand flies are small (about 1/3 the size of
mosquitoes), flies that move in short, hopping flights unlike those of mosquitoes or other
f lies. The bIoodsucking sand flies are uncommon in northern areas, but are common in
many subtropical and tropical areas throughout the world. They transmit several
diseases including leishmaniasis (South America, Northern Africa, Southern Asia), sand
fly fever (Mediterranean region and Southern Asia), and Oroya fever (South America).
Sand flies are small-bodied flies, seldom larger than five miIIimeters (rrm) in length.
The wings and body are densely covered with hair (see figure 1-19). The antennae are
long and slender, consisting of 12 to 16 segments. The mouthparts of female
phlebotomines (that is, Lutzomvia spp.) are long and are formed for bloodsucking. The
female lays her eggs in caves, crevices, dry tree holes, stone embankments, crumbling
ruins, earth fissures, and stony rubble. She may lay several batches, but requires a
blood meal before each ovipositor. When the eggs hatch, four larval stages follow then
pupation and adult emergence. The Iife cycle is completed in 1 to 4 months.
Figure 1-19. Adult sand fly.
d. Blackflies (Family Simuliidae). Blackflies, or buffalo gnats, as they are
sometimes called, are found throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the world.
Blackflies transmit a chronic, nonfatal disease called onchocerciasis. They are also
important as biting pests. Blackflies are small, black or gray flies 1 to 6 mm in length,
with broad wings. The thorax has a characteristic "humped" appearance (see
figure 1-20). The wings are relatively short, broad, and clear with only the anterior veins
well developed. The antennae are short with beaded segments. The mouthparts are
formed for bloodsucking. The female lays her eggs on plants or stones in fast moving
streams. She may lay as many as 500 eggs at one ovipositor. These hatch in 4 to 12
days. The larvae attach themselves to stones or plants in the stream; pupation occurs
after six molts and adults emerge from the pupal cases within 1 week.
MD0170
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