Blackfly outbreak in Cotswolds (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Blackfly outbreak in Cotswolds

VISCIOUS blackflies - which have a bite worse than a mosquito's - have invaded a river running through the Bourton-on-the-Water.

The blackfly, which lives by rivers and attacks without provocation, has been found around the River Windrush running through Bourton, Sherborne and Windrush.

Where mosquitoes pierce the skin, blackflies rip through it and pump anti-collagent into the wound to prevent the blood clotting while they feed.

The victim suffers painful bleeding sores. No cream can stop them attacking. The only way to help the wound heal faster is by not scratching it.

They outbreak was discovered by top blackfly expert, Dr Doreen Werner of Berlin's Humboldt University, and Oxford University's Dr Adrian Pont, a leading authority on blackfly predators.

An outbreak around Oxfordshire's River Glyme, in March, sparked their investigation.

Having examined rivers and streams throughout Oxfordshire, their search brought them to Gloucestershire.

Wading into the Windrush, Dr Werner pulled out reeds lined with larvae and pupae.

Ironically, clearing the Windrush of pollution caused the infestation.

Dr Pont said blackflies, which cannot survive in polluted water, are always the first insects to return to a river after it has been de-polluted.

He warned their numbers will remain high until their natural predators return.

These include small fish, caddis flies, stone flies and dragon flies.

Health centres across Britain have been inundated with people who have been bitten.

Dr Pont said the outbreak is among the worst he has seen.

He said: "Every river will have these things. Normally, they are not much of a problem.

"The only thing you can really do to stop them biting is to wear sensible clothing."

Sherborne parish clerk, Roger Medill, said he regularly walks alongside the Windrush but has not seen any blackflies.

He said: "The blackfly, as far as I know, hasn't bitten anyone yet. No doubt, if it does, word will get around."

Dr Pont urged anyone bitten by a blackfly to try and capture the insect, put it a matchbox or similar small container and send it to him at Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW.