The saliva of adult female blackflies (Simuliidae: Diptera)

Abstract

In tests with mammalian and avian bloods, agglutinin activity was found in saliva from females of Simulium decorum, S. venustum, and S. vittatum which were at least 12 h old, but not in saliva from 2-h-old females of S. decorum. Anticoagulant activity of the saliva varied among individuals of a species, but females of S. venustum showed a little higher activity than females of the other species. Heat destroyed this activity. Tests were unable to substantiate the idea that in these species, saliva is stored in the crop before blood feeding.