Observation: Since the days have been getting hotter, the flies have been overwhelming. There are a lot more flies here this year than in previous years. Many people's vehicles are covered with them, dead and alive. They are swarmed all around. They are also mating. No one is sure of what type they are but they are everywhere, swarms are very thick they almost looks like a brown cloud! Any idea of why we all of a sudden have all these flies?
June 15th, 2016: As per the previous report, these flies are all over the place! We still aren't sure what they are but community members are noticing them all over and the swarms are very thick they almost looks like a brown cloud. They are pests and with our warm weather there are tons of them!
July 17, 2016: Tiffany Jackson and I went and collected a couple samples of the flies over running the town (: they were put in vials with isopropyl rubbing alcohol (70%) and were taped and wrapped in zip lock bags. I'm not sure where to send them or how to send them.
LEO Consult: Based on research preformed by the QTT Environmental Department a likely identification is: March Fly, Bibio femoratus or some other member of Family Bibionidae. According to insects of South-central Alaska by Dominique M. Collet, "These are robust hairy black flies and the males fly in dense swarms that can resemble smoke from the distance. The eyes of the males and females differ greatly. Larvae live in decaying wood."The observation has been shared with the UAF Cooperative Extension Service. An identification and consultation is pending.
USFS Consult: Elizabeth Graham, Ph.D. Entomologist writes: "It looks like multiple species. I see the Bibionidae flies (March flies or lovebugs are the common name), they are in the middle picture. I think it might be both males and females.The ones in the vial look different, any chance they can mail them to me? Much easier to ID from specimens than pictures! I can’t tell much of anything from the far away shots. Wrapping the vials in bubble wrap is great. You can then stuff in a large padded envelope or small box and then mail them to us for identification."
Follow-up: Elizabeth Graham, Entomologist writes: "I received the package today and can confirm that they are the march flies. I think what I thought was multiple species was actually just male/females dimorphism. I’m guessing they have died out now? I haven’t been seeing them as much down here now. Thanks for the specimens, they were very well packed! Could you send me the collection location and date?" USFS Division of State & Private Forestry in Juneau. On June 27th, Elizabeth wrote: Hi there- I received the package today and can confirm that they are the march flies. I think what I thought was multiple species was actually just male/females dimorphism. I’m guessing they have died out now? I haven’t been seeing them as much down here now.
Media: The Sitka Sentinel did an article about these guys, they were particularly annoying there: ‘Love Bugs’ Compete With Local Berry Pickers
LEO Messages: June 17, 2016. Verna Kolyaha writes, "We had them to, in Pedro Bay"
Observations From Members