Published records are provided for the 52 nominal species, one undescribed morphospecies, and two cytospecies of black flies known from North Africa, with relevant literature, selected synonyms, and taxonomic comments. Morocco has the greatest simuliid diversity (44 nominal species), followed by Algeria (34 species), Tunisia (18 species), Libya (5 species), and Egypt (2 species). A new site for Simulium ruficorne Macquart is recorded for simuliid-poor Egypt.
Physical Habitat characterization of black flies was performed in the Tafna Basin of Algeria, based primarily on stream size, substrate, and aquatic and riparian vegetation. A total of 143 samples were taken between April and October 2009 at 11 sampling sites in the Tafna catchment. Dams exerted an effect through a slowdown of flow and sedimentation of fine particles, eliminating coarse microhabitats favorable for black flies. Stream and substrate characteristics are key parameters that determined the microhabitats of the species. Of 10 species considered, four were widely present with significant plasticity for the stream and substrate. Four other species were more closely associated with faster streams and eroded substrate. A greater rheophilic tendency was found for Simulium bezzii (Corti), Simulium sergenti Edwards, Simulium quadrifila Grenier, Faure and Laurent and Simulium galloprovinciale Giudicelli, which represents a new record for Algeria.
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