528 MISC. PUBLICATION 657, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
Some of the species feed during all hours of the day, but a greater 
number appear most active at dusk, 
The most important species breed in fresh-water inlets along the 
seacoast, others in rot holes in trees, and still others in debris along 
the borders of fresh-water streams or ponds. The larvae of Fores. 
pomyia are terrestrial. F. specularis (Coqg.) has been taken from 
under the bark of trees, in cow dung, a in decaying vegetable mat- 
ter, and has also been bred from weeviled leaders of white pine. 
Dasyhelea spp. have been bred from exuding sap on elm trees. Culz- 
coides spp. have been taken from tree pockets and Ceratopogon bru- 
malis Long from rotten elmwood and from ant nests. 
The control measures * vary according to the species. Those that 
breed in salt marshes and in the dead leaves and silt along their edges 
may be best controlled by diking and automatic tide gates. The con- 
trol of species breeding in inland areas along streams has not been 
thoroughly worked out, but it is believed that the removal of vegeta- 
tion and the straightening of the banks will reduce breeding. For 
temporary rehet either of the following spray mixtures will be found 
satisfactory 1f applied to the breeding places. 
(ht) Byrethrum extract concemtraten (20 it opls) ea i aaa 1 part. 
Lubricating: orl (CS. Ag sn) ee a ee ee ee 20 parts. 
or 
(2)) Byrethrum extracticoncemtrater(20 toy) a ee 1 part. 
Kerosene_ we EBS ae De et eee ee ee 6 parts. 
Lubricatine OlaCS: AL oH) =e eee ae eee ee se Sa pants 
These mixtures when brushed over window screens will exclude sand flies 
from the house for 24 to 48 hours. The mixtures may also be used on the 
skin to prevent being bitten. DDT is now replacing many of the older sprays 
used in mosquito control. 
Famity SIMULITDAE 
Blackflies, Buffalo Gnats 
The Simuliidae are small, thick-set flies with no ocelli and 10- or 
11-jointed antennae. The abdomen has 7 or 8 segments, the first 
segment bearing a conspicuous flaplike ae fringed with long haurs. 
The larvae of this aquatic family live in well- ‘aerated water, such 
as swiftly flowing streams or brooks, and are never found in still or 
stagnant water. 
Blackflies rank on a par with the mosquitoes as a common nuisance. 
They attack all warm-blooded animals. Some species are vicious 
biters and their persistence in getting in the eyes, nose, and ears is 
most aggravating. 
The ‘contr ol of blackflies is difficult, being essentially a community 
problem. One of the most satisfactory measures (O" Kane, 327) con- 
sists of treating their breeding places with a miscible oil. In small 
areas enough oil is used to give the water a milky appearance. This 
concentration must be maintained for 3 to 5 minutes, which may be 
accomplished by frequent additions of a small amount of oil at the 
starting point. The fact that fish are easily affected by the oil would 
“Sand flies” and “punkies.” U. 8. Bur. Ent. and Plant Quar. E441, 3 pp., 
illus. 1948. [Processed. ] 
=" 
