I have recently come across numerous examples of the Muscid fly Limnophora
riparia along fast flowing streams in the Hastings area close to the south
coast of England, streams where Simuliidas are undoubtedly breeding (I have
caught one or two adults).
According to the literature larvae of the L. riparia eat either the larvae
or the pupae (accounts vary) of blackflies.
Could anyone tell me where I can get further information on this and related
species and other blackfly predators?
Most of our British Limnophoras seem to be found near fast-flowing streams,
and I thought it probable that at least some of these prey on the early
stages of blackflies. We also have a large and rather splendid Dolichopodid
locally, Liancalus virens, whose larvae live in the moss of waterfalls etc.
and I wondered if this is partial to a feast of young blackflies too.
Patrick Roper
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