Common name : Blackfly
Scientific name : Austrosimulium sp.
Family : Simuliidae
Native to : New Zealand & Australia
Interesting fact : There are 31 species of black flies distributed in Australia and New Zealand.
With a body length of 3.6-4.8 mm, the blackfly is a small, biting, and bloodsucking fly. Its bite creates rashes and leaves large itchy bumps. The female sucks the blood, specifically for proteins required to make eggs. Some species of the blackfly spread a protozoan blood parasite amongst penguins.
