FAUNA OF NZ 68 SIMULIIDAE

Discover the intricate world of the FAUNA OF NZ 68 SIMULIIDAE, an essential resource for anyone fascinated by New Zealand's unique biodiversity. Authored by Douglas Craig and published by Manaaki Whenua Press, this paperback edition delves deeply into the lives of New Zealand's notorious sandflies, also known as ‘te namu’ or black flies. Spanning 336 pages, this comprehensive guide provides valuable insights into the biology, ecology, and behavior of the 19 species of Austrosimulium that inhabit the region's freshwater systems.

Learn about the distinct characteristics of these simuliid insects, primarily found in running water habitats throughout New Zealand, Tasmania, and mainland Australia. With 72 stunning full-page color plates and over 540 illustrations, this book thoroughly describes and illustrates all life stages of these fascinating creatures—from larvae to adults—highlighting their ecological roles and fascinating lifecycle.

Though their bites are infamous among locals and visitors alike, it's important to note that New Zealand simuliids are not known to transmit diseases as others do globally. Instead, this guide offers insights into their opportunistic feeding behaviors and the historical context of their existence in a largely avian ecosystem prior to human arrival. Rich in scientific detail, this guide to simuliids is a must-have for entomologists, ecologists, and nature enthusiasts wanting to explore the complex interactions within New Zealand's aquatic environments.

Author: Douglas Craig Publisher: Manaaki Whenua Press
Bind: paperback

Pages: 336
Publication Date: 04-03-2014

Black flies, sandflies, te namu



Known in New Zealand as ‘sandflies’ or ‘te namu’ and elsewhere in the world mainly as ‘black flies’, Simuliidae are iconic New Zealand insects. Virtually every New Zealander has been bitten by female simuliids, as have many overseas tourists. Worldwide, simuliids are notorious for their disease transmission, in particular river blindness in Africa and South America. New Zealand simuliids are not known to transmit any diseases to humans, but many people react badly to bites of species to which they have no previous exposure.



Simuliids of New Zealand belong to the genus Austrosimulium known only from New Zealand, Tasmania, and mainland Australia. Simuliid larvae require running water and in New Zealand are more or less ubiquitous, occurring in almost all running water habitats. There are 19 species of Austrosimulium in New Zealand, but only three species found here are serious biters of humans and it is only the females that bite; they bite to get the nutrients to produce eggs. In this Fauna keys are provided for larvae, pupae, adults, and ecological habitats. All known stages are described and illustrated for each species, together with information on their bionomics and biogeography. There are 72 full page colour plates and a total of 540 figures. Molecular analysis indicated that New Zealand Austrosimulium arrived by dispersal about 5 million years ago.



Elsewhere in the world simuliids in the genus Austrosimulium may be considered to feed on birds or mammals, depending on the presence or absence of a tooth on the tarsal claw. New Zealand simuliids are opportunistic and females will generally take blood meals from whatever is available, though there is one species that attacks Fiordland crested penguins while studiously avoiding humans.



What did New Zealand simuliids feed on before humans arrived? Of little doubt it would be on the vast number of birds, now greatly depleted, and probably also the large numbers of seals present then. Indeed, searching along beaches for a blood meal from either birds or seals still appears inherent behaviour of New Zealand adult female simuliids — and probably the reason for their name ‘sandflies’.