Black flies look so harmless – like tiny black flies. They are only three to four millimeters long. An attack by these insects is anything but harmless. Their bite causes unbearable itching, inflammation and disease.
According to a study by researchers from Goethe University and the Senckenberg Centre for Biodiversity and Climate Research in Frankfurt, black flies could soon become significantly more common in the country. According to the research team, the reason is rising temperatures, which “lead to shorter development times, more generations per year and thus a more frequent occurrence of black flies in general”. The study is published in the journal “Total Environmental Science” he appeared.
Black flies don’t bite, they bite
Black flies don’t just bite and suck blood like other mosquitoes. Black flies are more into martial things: they use their mouthparts to rip open small wounds from which blood comes out. Then they feast on it.
The usual thing: Their approach is not announced by a typical mosquito buzzing sound, and we humans don’t even notice the bite at first. With its bite, the black fly injects a special mixture of proteins to prevent its blood meal from clotting. It also contains anesthetic substances so that it can finish its meal without being disturbed. These substances can trigger severe allergic reactions, says Sven Klimpel from the University of Frankfurt.
What does a black fly bite look like?
A blackfly bite can cause severe swelling that itches terribly, but also bruising – if you’re unlucky, for several weeks. And since it creates a small wound in people’s skin, dirt can also get in. So if you notice a bite, you should disinfect the wound. If the inflammation persists, you should see a doctor.
Even if the itch is unbearable or you’re at risk of scratching, a doctor or pharmacist can help — with itch-relieving creams or ointments containing cortisone. If you scratch, pathogens can enter the wound, causing inflammation and, in the worst case, blood poisoning. Blackflies are also capable of transmitting pathogens that cause infectious diseases through their bites, Klimpel said.
What pathogens do black flies transmit?
The nematode Onchocerca volvulus is native to the African continent and is one of the most well-known pathogens transmitted by black flies. It can cause what is known as river blindness. More than 1.15 million people worldwide have suffered vision loss as a result of infection, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In further studies, the research team would like to use laboratory tests to find out to what extent blackfly species are capable of transmitting certain infectious disease pathogens, even under the conditions prevailing in Europe.
Where do black flies live?
Black flies occur all over the world and have also become native to this country. They become a nuisance, especially in spring and autumn. They live near running water – i.e. rivers and streams – and pastures. Cows, horses or other grazing animals are their preferred victims. But humans are also not ignored as a food source.