from small accumulations held by plants to vast salt marshes. 
Many of the most important species belong to the genera Ano- 
pheles, Aedes, Culex, and Psorophora. King, et al. (417) discussed 
the mosquitoes of the Southeastern States. 
FAMILY CERATOPOGONIDAE 
SANDFLIES, PUNKIES, ‘‘NO-SEE-UMS” 
This family contains a number of species of very tiny flies, 
usually 1 to 4 mm. in length, that feed on the blood of man and 
animals. They are often abundant in the vicinity of fresh water 
inlets along the seashore or near fresh water streams, ponds, and 
pools. Woods workers, hikers, hunters, fishermen, picnickers, and 
others frequenting these areas often find their presence almost 
intolerable because of their very burning and painful bites. Popu- 
lations are heaviest during late summer. At this time, these flies 
bite chiefly in the evening and very early in the morning. Wirth 
(786) records 27 genera and some 300 species as occurring in 
America north of Mexico. 
FAMILY CHIRONOMIDAE 
MIDGES 
Midges are small, slender flies, rarely over 10 mm. in length. 
They resemble mosquitoes, but do not have fringes of scalelike 
hairs on the wings. They differ also by the discontinuation of the 
costal vein at the end of the third vein. Midges are frequently 
seen in great swarms, dancing in the air, usually in the evening. 
The larvae of most species are found in the water of streams, 
usually attached to the surface of stones, sticks and other objects. 
Many are red and are commonly known as bloodworms. Midge 
larvae are fed upon by many fresh water fishes and other aquatic 
animals. Sublette and Sublette (696) published a list of the spe- 
cles occurring in America north of Mexico. 
FAMILY SIMULIDAE 
BLACK FLIES 
Black flies occur in nearly all parts of the United States and 
Canada. In different parts of their range they have various com- 
mon names such as buffalo gnats and turkey gnats, as well as 
black flies. The females feed on the blood of man and animals and 
their bites cause swellings, itching, and sometimes bleeding. Their 
habit of hovering about the face and getting into the eyes, ears, 
and nostrils makes them a nuisance. When they appear in large 
numbers, birds and animals may be literally smothered by flies 
drawn into their air passages. In the woods and mountains of 
northern United States and Canada, they are often so abundant 
in the spring that they are almost unbearable. Black flies have 
also been incriminated in the transmission of several diseases of 
vild and domestic birds. 
416 
