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Blackflies


» Blackflies are attracted to humans largely because of the carbon dioxide we exhale, but these bloodsuckers can also be attracted by dark colored clothing, perfumes and sweat.


» In Maine, blackflies are so thick they’re referred to as the unofficial state bird.


» The best defense against blackflies is to cover up, including tucking trousers into socks and tightening wrist cuffs. Blackfly fever affects a sensitive minority following multiple bites, and causes short-term nausea and fever. Different than just being sick of the bugs.


» In 1995, pop star Alanis Morissette demonstrated to the world she didn’t understand the meaning of the word ironic by releasing a song of the same name. Some of the many things she listed that are not ironic, merely unfortunate, include: rain on your wedding day, 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife, and a blackfly in your chardonnay.


» The good news is that blackflies are markers of a healthy aquatic


ecosystem. Their larvae are only found in flowing, clean and well- oxygenated water—kind of like kayakers.


» When numerous enough, blackflies have caused suffocation of farm animals by crawling into the nose and throat. There are also reports of blackflies causing exsanguination (death due to blood loss) in livestock.


» “Always the blackfly no matter where you go, I’ll die with the blackfly picking my bones,” is the chorus to folk songwriter Wade Hemsworth’s well-loved ode to the tiny terror. Watch an animated short of the song at www.rapidmedia.com/0322. KAYDI PYETTE


ATTACK! PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ DMAXX


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