FAUNAL AND ECOLOGICAL FEATURES OF BLACKFLIES IN STATE BUDGETARY INSTITUTION SPORTS SCHOOL OF THE OLYMPIC RESERVE FOR EQUESTRIAN SPORTS, KALUGA

Abstract

The article describes the faunal and ecological features of two species of blackflies common on the territory of the SBI "Sports School of the Olympic Reserve for Equestrian Sports" in Kaluga: Wilhelmia equina (Linnaeus, 1758) and Odagmia ornata (Meigen, 1818), which can cause simuliidotoxicosis of animals. The studied species are very widespread. Species Wilhelmia equina: their habitat is in rivers of medium and small sizes, sometimes in streams, the flow rate of which is 0.25–0.6 m/s. Blackflies in preimaginal stages settle on aquatic vegetation and underwater objects. The preimaginal stage develops at a water temperature of 2–23 oC with content of oxygen dissolved in water of 51–88%. On average, 2–3 generations are recorded per year. The adults of the first generation fly out in late May – early June, the second generation in late July – early August and the third generation in mid September. Odagmia ornata: it lives in various water bodies from small streams to large rivers. Larvae and pupae inhabit vegetation in water bodies and various objects. The species is unpretentious to water temperature and develops at temperatures from 4 to 21 oC and water flow rate 0.3–0.9 m/s with the required content of oxygen dissolved in water 42–82%. Three generations are recorded per year. The emergence and pupation of the first generation of adults is observed in early and mid-May, when the water temperature reaches 8–10 oС, and the second generation in July when the water temperature is from 11 to 22 oС. The third generation is observed in late August – early September, when the water temperature is 16–19 oC. It is considered an active blood-sucking insect for domestic animals.