Seasonal Abundance of Anthropophilic Simuliidae from the Adirondack Mountains of New York State and Effectiveness of an Experimental Treatment Program Using Bacillus thuringiensis var. israeliensis

Abstract

A 154-km2 study area near Loon Lake, Town of Franklin, Franklin County, N.Y., was used for sampling the nuisance activity and seasonal occurrence of anthropophilic Simuliidae within the Adirondack Park. Black flies were monitored at 47 sites on a biweekly or weekly basis throughout two consecutive flight seasons. Population data were acquired from over 1,800 10-min aerial, sweep-net collections of black flies swarming around stationary human collectors from 17 May–6 August 1982 and from 2 May–2 September 1983. Thirteen species in four genera of black flies were represented in combined collections of over 171,000 females. Of the 13 species collected, 12 represent new black fly distribution records for Franklin County, N.Y. Intensity and duration of predominant species' seasonal flight patterns were monitored and compared. In addition, mean numbers of black flies captured inside and outside a partially overlapping area that had been experimentally treated with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israeliensis ( Bti ) were compared on a weekly and seasonal basis. Despite evidence of effective control of several Simulium species, the application of Bti did not result in the control of anthropophilic Prosimulium .