BLACK FLIES, BUFFALO GNATS, TURKEY 



GNATS. 



Although these insects have been discussed in previous reports 

 from this department there have been so many complaints in 1907 and 

 particularly in 1908, and so much letter writing has been caused in con- 

 sequence that it appears desirable to include here a few statements re- 

 garding the pest, and to suggest certain remedial measures which will 

 to an extent afiford relief. 



This insect breeds in running water, and localities in this state 

 which are so blessed will also always be troubled to a greater or less 

 extent every year with this annoying and seriously injurious enemy to 

 man and stock. 



This year from some localities within the state came reports of 

 poultry being killed, and one excited and possibly imaginative editor 

 published a statement that a colt's death was due to their attacks. We 

 quote from our report of 1905 : 



"SIML'LIDAE, Black Flies, Buffalo Gnats: These minute flies 

 belonging to the single genus, Sinmliuin, are always more or less trou- 

 blesome in summer to both stock and man in certain localities. Only 

 the females "bite" but many of us can l)ear witness that each female 

 can do enough mischief for two, and many a would-be prospector, sur- 

 veyor or fisherman has returned in disgust from the woods, vanquished 

 b}' the persevering hosts. A clot of blood general]}' marks the point of 

 the creature's attack. Swarms of them frequently annoy horses during 

 spring |)lowing, and when, as sometimes occurs, they attack stock in 

 enormous numbers, serious loss is occasioned. Cloudy weather dis- 

 courages theni, for, like the chinch bug, they want warm sunshine. 



"The perfect flies, that is, the imagoes, or adult insects, are about 

 one-eighth of an inch long, more or less downy or velvety, a 'humped' 

 thorax and the short antennae consisting of eleven joints. They breed 

 in running water, hence they are particularly abundant in the northern 

 part of Minnesota, where, for them, ideal summer conditions exist. In 

 the northern part of Minnesota in ordinary seasons they begin to be 

 troublesome a little before the first of June. Oil of citronella, used as 

 for mosquitoes, is effective as long as the skin is moist with the same. 



