Citation: Katyukha S.M. (2026) The fauna and ecological-biology features of the blood-sucking black flies in the conditions of the Rivne region.VeterinaryBiotechnology, 48, 67-80. https://doi.org/10.31073/vet_biotech48-04
KATYUKHA S., Cand. Sci. (Vet. Med.), e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6730-9227
Research Station of Epizootology of the National Scientific Center «Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine»
THE FAUNA AND ECOLOGICAL-BIOLOGY FEATURES OF THE BLOOD-SUCKING BLACK FLIES IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE RIVNE REGION
Introduction. The blood-sucking black flies (family Simuliidae) are a component of “gnus” and one of the most dangerous active ectoparasites of farm animals, causing significant damage to them.A massive attack of these insects in the spring leads to a decrease in cattle productivity.In the spring, a mass attack by these insects leads to a decrease in cattle productivity.Animals develop a disease (simuliidotoxicosis), described in the literature as an independent nosological entity, as a result of the ingestion of a significant amount of toxins along with saliva during blood-sucking black flies.In addition, blood-sucking black flies are specific and mechanical vectors, as well as reservoirs of pathogens of dangerous infections and invasions.
The goal of the work was to study the species composition and dynamics of the distribution of blood-sucking black flies in the landscape zones of the Rivne region, as well as to investigate the influence of the main abiotic factors on the activity of their attacks on animals.
Materials and methods. The work summarizes the materials of the entomological study collected in 2021–2025 in all administrative districts of the Rivne region.The collection of black flies adults and their identification was carried out according to the methods of I.A. Rubtsov (1956), Z.V. Usova (1961) and partly using the methods of other authors.Adults were collected above the target of the attack and during the act of bloodsucking, using a gauze cover.A total of 1,232 black flies individuals were collected.The quantitative ratio of black flies was determined using a method generally accepted in entomology, with the determination of the dominance index and the species distribution index, expressed in percentages.The intensity of black flies attack was determined by counting the number of insects on one side of the animal for 5 minutes using the Katyukha-Shevchenko method.
Results of research and discussion. The faunal complex of blood-sucking black flies of the Polesie part of the Rivne region, where coniferous and mixed forests are common, consists of 16 taiga-forest and 17 forest-steppe species belonging to the genera: Byssodon (1), Nevermannia (1), Eusimulium (3), Schoenbaueria (2), Wilhemia (2), Boophthora (2), Odagmia (3), Simulium (19).The most active and most widespread, causing significant damage to cattle, of the 33 species of black flies common here, were recorded as forest-steppe species: B. erythrocephala, B. sericata.Only in Polesie are such taiga-forest species as Bys. maculata, S. tuberosum and S. truncatum found.The faunal complex of black flies of the forest-steppe part of the Rivne region (28 species) was formed in conditions of alternation of deciduous forests and open spaces.Only 9 taiga-forest species are found here: E. aureum, E. latizonum, S. verecundum, S. morsitans, S. paramorsitans, S. promorsitans, S. hibernale, S. longipalpe, S. simulans.Background and common bloodsuckers of farm animals in the Forest-Steppe are the species W. equina, B. erythrocephala, and B. sericata. Within the Rivne region, the forest-steppe group (53%) prevails over the taiga-forest group (47%) in terms of the number of species.
The intensity of black flies attacks is influenced by climatic factors that have regular recurrence. One of the important factors determining the activity of black flies attacks is temperature. The temperature zone of maximum activity of black flies is within +15–25 °C. One of the main abiotic factors that determine the daily activity of black flies attacks is light. The optimal illumination zone for active black flies attack is within 1500–20,000 lux.
Conclusions and prospects for further research:
1. The fauna of blood-sucking black flies of the Rivne region is of a mixed nature, which is the result of a complex and long process of its formation. The core of the fauna consists of 5 forest-steppe (W. equine, B. erythrocephala, B. sericata, Od. ornaта, Od. pratorum) and 5 taiga-forest (S. morsitans, S. paramorsitans, S. promorsitans, S. shevtshenkovae, S. hibernale) species.
2. Blood-sucking black flies are particularly sensitive to climatic factors that determine their activity in attacking farm animals – temperature and light. The optimal temperature zone for black flies’ activity is within +15–25 °C. The highest activity of black flies’ attacks is observed at a light level of 1500–20000 lux.
3. In the future, the results will be used in the development of an information and analytical report on the protection of cattle from blood-sucking black flies.
Keywords: blood-sucking black flies, fauna, distribution, Rivne region, abiotic factors.
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