An investigation of the blackfly fauna of Andalusia, southern Spain (Diptera: Simuliidae).

A detailed account is provided of the blackfly (Simuliidae) fauna of Andalusia, southern Spain. The work is based on a study of 14204 specimens, of which 13733 were collected by the authors from a total of 137 positive sampling sites during prospections made mainly in early summer 1986 and in the spring seasons of 1994-1998. In all, 25 identified species and two possible species of uncertain identity are recorded. The topographical and climatic background is briefly described, data from previous literature and material from earlier collections are covered, a checklist of the blackflies of Spain and Portugal is provided, and the character of the simuliid fauna is discussed for areas within and outside Andalusia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]