Emergence and movement of the saltmarsh deer flies Chrysops fuliginosus and Chrysops atlanticus

A study in 1970 of the saltmarsh species of Chrysops at Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey showed that C. fuliginosus Wied. emerged from 23rd to 25th June and C. atlanticus Pechuman from 10th June to 3rd August. C. fuliginosus emerged within 9.1 m of the ecotone, and where a freshwater influence was observed. Collections on sticky panels showed both species tend to move inland. C. atlanticus persisted inland for about 2 weeks after disappearing from the marsh, and it was most numerous about 180 m inland from the ecotone. C. fuliginosus showed less definite trends but was most dense about 90 m from the ecotone. Both species flew round the face and occasionally settled to bite on a person moving or waving his arms, but if movement stopped the flies left in less than 2 min.