Post by Pete on Sept 24, 2016 18:52:16 GMT
Hello, not sure how much traffic these boards get (its interesting that there is a black-fly appreciation group though!)
I was out taking photos in a local woodland to me (Croxdale Woods, County Durham) when I noticed a large red slug...was taking a few shots of it when I noticed a small fly that seemed to take a lot of interest in it. It stayed on its back for around 5 minutes and looked to be either tasting it or feeding from it.
I've posted this online in a couple of forums and people have confirmed that this is a blackfly - some said that it is unusual for them to feed from slugs, others said it was drinking the moisture from it.
Was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the matter? And possibly give a species identification and whether this one likes human blood? I don't think I have ever been bitten by a blackfly as far as I can remember, and I'm the kind of person that attracts horseflies, midges and mosquitoes from miles around!
I was out taking photos in a local woodland to me (Croxdale Woods, County Durham) when I noticed a large red slug...was taking a few shots of it when I noticed a small fly that seemed to take a lot of interest in it. It stayed on its back for around 5 minutes and looked to be either tasting it or feeding from it.
I've posted this online in a couple of forums and people have confirmed that this is a blackfly - some said that it is unusual for them to feed from slugs, others said it was drinking the moisture from it.
Was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the matter? And possibly give a species identification and whether this one likes human blood? I don't think I have ever been bitten by a blackfly as far as I can remember, and I'm the kind of person that attracts horseflies, midges and mosquitoes from miles around!
