black fly

any of the minute, black gnats of the dipterous family Simuliidae, having aquatic larvae.

Also called buffalo gnat.

Origin of black fly

First recorded in 1600–10

The actual nature of the toxic agent in the black-fly is left a matter of speculation.

Handbook of Medical Entomology |William Albert Riley
Dinky-Dunk, I notice, is as restive as a bull-moose in black-fly season.

The Prairie Child |Arthur Stringer
There was some kind of an animal inside my shirt, and one that made a mosquito, black-fly, or flea seem tame.

Tales of lonely trails |Zane Grey
Aphides or black-fly may be destroyed by tobacco dust and syringing well with an infusion of soft soap.

Gardening for the Million |Alfred Pink

The black-fly, Simulium venustum, inflicts a painless bite, with ecchymosis and hmorrhage at the site of puncture.

Handbook of Medical Entomology |William Albert Riley

black fly

any small blackish stout-bodied dipterous fly of the family Simuliidae, which sucks the blood of man, mammals, and birds See also buffalo gnat

black fly

Any of various small dark humpbacked flies of whom the females are aggressive biters and serve as vectors in the transmission of onchocerciasis.