Rhagionidae

Reeves, Will K., Adler, Peter H., Grogan, William L. & Super, Paul E., 2004, Hematophagous and Parasitic Diptera (Insecta) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA, Zootaxa 483, pp. 1-44 : 24

Family Rhagionidae

The biting snipe flies, Symphoromyia , are rarely encountered in the eastern USA and the taxonomy of eastern species of Symphoromyia is poorly defined ( Turner 1974). Western species, such as S. flavipalpis Adams , can be persistent biters of humans and wildlife such as the American bison ( Ross 1940; Burger 1995a). Eastern species are not known to feed on humans but readily bite dogs ( Burger 1995a). Some people have severe anaphylactic reactions to Symphoromyia bites ( Turner 1978). Symphoromyia species have blood­feeding behavior similar to that of the Tabanidae but are not known to transmit any pathogens ( Burger 1995a). Steyskal (1949) did not list Symphoromyia among the Rhagionidae of the Park.

Symphoromyia hirta Johnson

Collections: North Carolina, Swain Co., Andrews Bald , 3 June 2001, 22 June 2001, Malaise trap, coll. I. Stocks.

Females of S. hirta were found on hilltops at high elevations in the Park. This snipe fly is not known to bite humans in the Park and the natural blood­meal source for females is unknown. The larval stages and oviposition sites are likewise unknown. Brimley (1938) reported this species from Spruce, Haywood Co., in June. Shemanchuk & Weintraub (1961) were repeatedly attacked by S. hirta or a related species in Canada, but no reports of similar biting behavior exist for the Park.