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ABSTRACT: Multichotomous identification keys are provided to the black fly larvae and pupae of New Jersey and neighboring states. Control of black flies is targeted at the aquatic immature stages, making proper identification of larvae and pupae vital for suppression purposes. The key includes 40 species known from NJ and an additional 24 species from surrounding states. A species confirmation table is also included to increase identification accuracy. Diagnostic images of simuliid pupae and larvae are also provided.
KEY WORDS: Simuliidae, Black Fly, New Jersey, identification key, species confirmation table, postgenal cleft, Simulium jenningsi species group
Black flies (Simuliidae) have become an increasing pest problem in New Jersey from late spring to early fall, having detrimental effects on livestock productivity, public health, quality of life, and tourism (Adler et al., 2004). Economic losses to these industries due to black flies have long been established in North America (Jamnback 1973, Laird et al., 1982, Gray et al., 1996). Though simuliid pests usually arise from an array of different causes (Cupp 1988), this steady increase in simuliid pests is apparently due to improved water quality resulting from the Federal Clean Water Act of 1972, particularly for large riverinhabiting species such as Simulium jenningsi. As immatures, black flies inhabit lotie environments which offer sufficient oxygen and water flow needed for carrying food particles to their filter feeding apparatuses. Control of pestiferous black flies is normally attained with lotie applications of pesticides targeted at the larval stage. The chief species of interest are those in the Simulium jenningsi species group, the only regional species group known to bite humans, although many other simuliid species are known to swarm about humans. This group's ranking as the dominant simuliid pest in NJ is augmented by their multiple generations per year. Of the 22 species in the S. jenningsi species group occurring in North America (Adler et al, 2004), 7 are known to occur in NJ. In addition, there are reports from field biologists who have witnessed species of the Simulium tuberosum species group biting humans in NJ.
The Pennsylvania simuliid key published by Adler and Kim (1986) is widely used in both PA and NJ, but does not include all NJ species. Although Crans and McCuiston (1970) previously published a...