Introduction to Diagnostic Medical Parasitology
Blackfly
![](/.imaging/mte/default-theme/parasiteImage/dam/parasites/Ectoparasites/Mosquitoes/Simuliidae/Blackfly/Krieblm-cke.jpg/jcr:content/Krieblm%C3%BCcke.jpg)
![](/.imaging/mte/default-theme/parasiteImage/dam/parasites/Ectoparasites/Mosquitoes/Simuliidae/Blackfly/Simulium-sp.jpg/jcr:content/Simulium%20sp.jpg)
Characteristics
- Insect: Three part body (head/thorax /abdomen) and 6 legs
- Hunched and densely hairy thorax
- short, "cigar-shaped" antennae
- Short mouthparts, only penetrate the upper layers of the skin ("pool feeder")
- Wings
- Complete metamorphosis (holometabole development)
- Strongly developed radial veins
- Dusk and night activity
•Medical significance:
- Onchocerciasis / "River blindness" (Oncocerca volvulus)
Eggs, larvae, and pupae
![](/.imaging/mte/default-theme/parasiteImage/dam/parasites/Ectoparasites/Mosquitoes/Simuliidae/Blackfly/Puppe-Kriebl.png/jcr:content/Puppe%20Kriebl.png)
![](/.imaging/mte/default-theme/parasiteImage/dam/parasites/Ectoparasites/Mosquitoes/Simuliidae/Blackfly/Kriebl.png/jcr:content/Kriebl.png)
![](/.imaging/mte/default-theme/parasiteImage/dam/parasites/Ectoparasites/Mosquitoes/Simuliidae/Blackfly/Krieblm-.png/jcr:content/Krieblm%C3%BC.png)
•Eggs, larvae, pupae mainly in the water, but they require atmospheric air for breathing
•Development connected to water