Black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of the Fruška Gora Mountain [Serbia]

Extensive studies of black fly fauna in the Fruška Gora Mountain were conducted during the perennial period from 2001 to 2009 in order to identify the list of present species, the location of breeding sites and adult habitats, as well as to acquire essential data about the biology, ecology and behavior of the main species, with special attention given to those with mammophilic preference and bloodsucking behavior. During this period, breeding sites of eleven black fly species were identified in stream habitats of the Fruška Gora Mountain: Simulium (Nevermannia) vernum Macquart, 1826 (complex); Simulium (Nevermannia) costatum Friederichs, 1920; Simulium (Nevermannia) lundstromi (Enderlein, 1921); Simulium (Nevermannia) angustitarse (Lundström, 1911); Simulium (Eusimulium) velutinum (Santos Abreu, 1922); Simulium (Simulium) reptans (Linnaeus, 1758); Simulium (Simulium) ornatum Meigen, 1818 (complex); Simulium (Boophora) erythrocephalum (De Geer, 1776); Simulium (Wilhelmia) balcanicum (Enderlein, 1924); Simulium (Wilhelmia) equinum (Linnaeus, 1758) and Simulium (Wilhelmia) pseudequinum Séguy, 1921. S. ornatum (complex) were present in the majority of the prospected streams and were usually higher in population density than others species, therefore representing the dominant species of the watercourses of Fruška Gora. The biting activity of females of this species was confirmed on cattle and human hosts. The mammophilic preference was also observed in two more species: S. erythrocephalum and S. balcanicum. Their main breeding sites were located in the Danube River, but immature stages were also identified in some premanent streams of the Fruška Gora Mountain. Increased anthropophilic preference of S. erythrocephalum and S. ornatum (complex) was evidenced by aggressive attacks on humans recorded in the studied region. The monitoring of black fly adult populations demonstrated that Fruška Gora Mountain offers conductive habitat conditions for adult black fly activity. Adult populations of S. ornatum (complex) were widespread in the region of Fruška Gora. Females of this species were frequently recorded in many localities close to the breedingsites and usually in high population density. It was also demonstrated that during the periods of mass occurence, some typically riverine species, such as S. erythrocephalum and S. balcanicum also invaded an extensive area of the Fruška Gora Mountain.