Taiga Black Fly (Decimating Blackfly)

Simulium decimatum

General Status Rank: 
Secure
Common Name: 
Taiga Black Fly (Decimating Blackfly)
Scientific Name: 
Simulium decimatum
Naming References: 
B170
H208
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Fly (Blackfly)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Arthropoda
Class: 
Insecta
Order: 
Diptera
Family: 
Simuliidae
References: 
B170
H208
General Biology

Longevity

Eggs overwinter. A single generation is probably produced each year and possible two generations per year in Palearctic regions. Females have been collected from July to early September.
References: 
B170

Economic/Human Considerations

Females swarm around humans and will take their blood.
Habitat
Inhabits the arctic and sparsely treed tundra. Larvae and pupae cling to stones in rocky streams and rivers about 15-300 m wide. Females swarm around humans and will take their blood.
References: 
B170
Distribution

Ecozones

Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield
References: 
B170

Distribution

15/175 x 100 = 9%
Score: 
FG
References: 
B170

Number of Occurrences

19, Mack Delta, Horton river, barrengrounds
Score: 
BE
References: 
B170

Area of Occupancy

Score: 
-
Population

Population Size

Occurs in the NT, NU and Alaska.
References: 
B170
Threats

Threats

Larvae are attacked by unidentified mermithid nematodes.
Score: 
C
References: 
B170

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
References: 
B170
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
Widely distributed species. Presumed stable.
S Rank: 
S4S5
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by Doug Currie, Royal Ontario Museum (January 2009) ; Draft ranks in 2014 by Patrick Schaefer for the black flies and horse flies for the National General Status Ranking Program.
Last Updated: 
July 14, 2014

References

Ecozones

  • Adler, P.H., Currie, D.C., Wood, DM. (2004) The Black Flies (Simuliidae) of North America. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press ENR Library - B170 Return

Habitat

  • Adler, P.H., Currie, D.C., Wood, DM. (2004) The Black Flies (Simuliidae) of North America. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press ENR Library - B170 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Adler, P.H., Currie, D.C., Wood, DM. (2004) The Black Flies (Simuliidae) of North America. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press ENR Library - B170 Return

Longevity

  • Adler, P.H., Currie, D.C., Wood, DM. (2004) The Black Flies (Simuliidae) of North America. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press ENR Library - B170 Return

Naming

  • Adler, P.H., Currie, D.C., Wood, DM. (2004) The Black Flies (Simuliidae) of North America. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press ENR Library - B170 Return
  • Currie, D.C. (2008) Synoptic List of Northwest Territories Black Flies. List sent to Suzanne Carriere Copy in binder - H208 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Adler, P.H., Currie, D.C., Wood, DM. (2004) The Black Flies (Simuliidae) of North America. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press ENR Library - B170 Return

Population Size

Adler, P.H., Currie, D.C., Wood, DM. (2004) The Black Flies (Simuliidae) of North America. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press ENR Library - B170 Return

Range Extent

  • Adler, P.H., Currie, D.C., Wood, DM. (2004) The Black Flies (Simuliidae) of North America. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press ENR Library - B170 Return

Taxonomy

  • Adler, P.H., Currie, D.C., Wood, DM. (2004) The Black Flies (Simuliidae) of North America. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press ENR Library - B170 Return
  • Currie, D.C. (2008) Synoptic List of Northwest Territories Black Flies. List sent to Suzanne Carriere Copy in binder - H208 Return

Threats

  • Adler, P.H., Currie, D.C., Wood, DM. (2004) The Black Flies (Simuliidae) of North America. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press ENR Library - B170 Return