Especially in Spring and early Summer, swarms of small black flies can make life intolerable. They seldom enter houses, but vacationers and laborers, as well as livestock and wildlife, can be severely affected.

The larvae require running water to feed. To this extent, Black Fly habitat differs from that of Mosquitos and Deer Flies, since standing water is of no use to them.

Biting occurs mostly during the day, particularly early morning and toward evening. Threatening weather, as before a thunderstorm, intensifies biting. Females target body projections, such as ears, and the lower parts of the body. They are attracted by odors, shapes, and colors — and in common with other biting insects, carbon dioxide. Males do not bite, but on the outlook for females, they often swarm near female targets.

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