| Name | Comments |
John Davies
 daviesjb@liv.ac.uk | 06-10-2008 - 15:17 - from 88-106-67-226.dynamic.dsl.as9105.com
Gerald,
Is Benwick SE of Peterborough on R. Nene and B1093?
It would be a great help if anyone could catch the culprits so that they can be identified properly. If you do catch a fly, please e-mail me for instructions. |
Jens Rohwer
insects@gmx.info | 15-09-2008 - 12:17 - from 10.16.11.29
Hi,
anyone here with information where to get antigen preperations of Simuliidae?
I´d like to develop a new allergy test against those little bastards, but can´t find any supplier...
thx for all info |
| Gerald Greenwood | 09-09-2008 - 23:44 - from client-86-0-113-21.nrth.adsl.virgin.net
Little rascal got me last week in Benwick lots of pain, swelling,open weeping wound. Got me on arm as was working near ground. |
| John Davies | 07-09-2008 - 17:00 - from 88-106-72-224.dynamic.dsl.as9105.com
Thank you Chris and Mark for your observations.
I can't be much help as to getting rid of these pests. Read some of the previous posts, and remember that the flies are capable of flying several miles. (There is a species in West Africa that has been tracked for over 400Km, but this is very unusual). What can be done depends on the species and there are about half a dozen in UK that could be the culprit. Identification of female (biting) simulium is very difficult even with undamaged specimens, and requires examination by an expert. As for treating the bites, antihistamines work to some extent, but the main thing is not to scratch as this introduces bacteria and secondary infections. One earlier post recommends Witch Hazel - try it. |
mark eales
mark.eales4@ntlworld.com | 27-08-2008 - 22:08 - from cpc1-pete8-0-0-cust510.pete.cable.ntl.com
I moved to Peterborough in Dec 07 and only in the last 3 months have I been attacked by this fly. One bite on the side of my knee causes swelling and itching all the way to my toes. Once bitten, I have to take antibiotics, antihistamines and use hydrocortisone cream - this is the only bite that causes me such a reaction (I am not allergic to anything)! The only place I've ever experienced this vicious fly was in Canada years ago and I was unaware they lived in the UK. I have a small pond in the garden with no running water and some apple, peach and plum trees. What can I do to rid me of this fly. Should the council be interested enough to carry out some sort of control program as they do in the States? I'm actually getting scared to go in the garden now. What point in the year do they clear off!! |
Chris Byrne
cbyrne@ddmi.net | 26-08-2008 - 13:29 - from 77-89-140-226.fluidata.co.uk
Hi, The bushes around the perimeter of my back garden (Berkshire, UK) seem to be plagued by blackfly. I now seem unable to be in the back garden around sunset without being bitten numerous times (I can't realistically apply DEET every time I leave the confines of the house!) The fly are black, about 3 mm long and only noticed when it's too late. They draw blood and the resulting welt and itch lasts for 4-7 days. As far as I know, there is NO running or stagnant water in the vicinity, so I don't have an obvious source to blast with Bt. Any ideas how to anihilate these biting marauders? At this point, I don't care how toxic it might be.
Thanks, Chris |
Stephen M Smith
smith_sm@mac.com | 13-08-2008 - 19:57 - from bas8-kitchener06-1279289739.dsl.bell.ca
I have a copy of
Petersen, A. 1924.
Contributions to the natural history of the Danish Simuliidae.
K. Danske Vidensk. Selsk. Skr. Afd.; 8(5), pp. 1-101.
In my online library file, I have a note that there is supposed to be (as
of 1979) a translation available (#54000) at the Canadian Department of the
Secretary of State.
I've asked the librarians at the University of Waterloo to try to track down the translation, but they've had no success.
If anyone has a copy of the English translation and would be willing to photocopy or scan it for me, I'd much appreciate it. I'm happy to reimburse costs.
BTW, I plan to digitize the text to a PDF so if I can find a copy I can make a PDF available to anyone interested.
Thanks, |
| John Davies | 12-08-2008 - 11:23 - from 88-106-93-243.dynamic.dsl.as9105.com
Susan
Bradbury Rings - As far as I can remember there is a fair amount of long grass and proximity of cattle or sheep at the Rings. You should consider that the bite could be from ants or ticks or a horse fly or cleg. As far as I know the Blandford fly is supposed to be controlled. However I can find no information that this was done this year. The last info that I can find is that it was done in 2006. There is a web site run by Dorset county where suspected Blandford Fly bites can be logged. Do a search for Blandford Fly.
Does anyone know if the Blandford Fly control is continuing? |
susan cowsill
susan.cowsill@talktalk.net | 01-08-2008 - 11:43 - from 78.148.175.144
I was visiting Badbury Rings on Tuesday afternoon, and walking there through the grass, was bitten on the ankle twice- in the evening it had swollen up massively and I could not walk on it- very itchy and tender to the touch. Now it has gone purple although the swelling has gone down a bit- still itchy. My GP said it was a haemmorhagic fly bite...does this sound familiar and could it be the Blandford Fly? |
| John Davies | 21-07-2008 - 18:41 - from 88-106-98-49.dynamic.dsl.as9105.com
Peter & Paul
Thanks for your comments. Yes blackfly bites are becoming more common. As I have said this is partly due to cleaner rivers and less insecticidal or organic run off from farmland. |