ON SOME ORNITHOPHILIC BLOOD-SUCKING DIPTERA IN ALGONQUIN PARK, ONTARIO, CANADA

Abstract

A useful technique was devised for the collection of biting Diptera after they had fed on various birds exposed in dissimilar habitats in Algonquin Park. As a result, the following species of ornithophilic Simuliidae and Ceratopogonidae, including four new species and other species the feeding habits of which were previously unknown, were collected: Simulium aureum., "latipes", quebecense, croxtoni, rugglesi, subexcisum (Edw. of Twinn, 1936), Simulium "H", Simulium (Eusimulium) n.sp., Prosimulium decemarticulatum, Cnephia invenusta, Cnephia "U", Culicoides sphagnumensis, stilobezzioides, Culicoides n.sp. near piliferus. Several species of Culicidae and Tabanidae which would also feed on birds are listed.The data further indicated that the simuliids and ceratopogonids showed host and habitat preferences; these preferences were particularly marked among certain species such as Simulium rugglesi and Culicoides n.sp. near piliferus. The simuliids occurred commonly from May 20 through mid-July; ceratopogonids from June 2 through mid-July. Woodland simuliids usually fed at dusk while lake shore simuliids fed in the early evening; biting midges were crepuscular to nocturnal. Other miscellaneous observations on feeding behavior are included.