Blandford Fly

[devon deer stalker]

Following on from the Horse Fly thread, anyone been bitten by the above?
They hang around water courses, generally low down, so the bite is commonly found below the knee.
But not in my case, a few weeks ago I was with 2 fishing clients, I bent down to tie my wading boots, got up, started chatting to my clients and quickly realised I was being bitten on my wrist, a tiny little black fly, I squished it and thought no more.
12 hours later, skin turned yellow (like a bruise) and started to itch, then arm swelled with a rash, 3 days later things subsided but I still have a scar on my wrist.
They are nasty little barstewards!
Here is a link, not necessary to visit docs, (or even think about clogging up A&E!) unless you get the serious effects.

 

[jall55]

Never knew what these were called but we have loads of them !
Would say these are worse than horse flies !

 

[Cranborne]

Brewed with ginger by Badger; apparently will sooth the bite of the Blandford Fly.....

 

[long_range_rob]

View attachment 262097Brewed with ginger by Badger; apparently will sooth the bite of the Blandford Fly.....

I’m not sure it will sooth it but if you drink enough you just won’t care for a while.

 

[BSAvale]

Following on from the Horse Fly thread, anyone been bitten by the above?
They hang around water courses, generally low down, so the bite is commonly found below the knee.
But not in my case, a few weeks ago I was with 2 fishing clients, I bent down to tie my wading boots, got up, started chatting to my clients and quickly realised I was being bitten on my wrist, a tiny little black fly, I squished it and thought no more.
12 hours later, skin turned yellow (like a bruise) and started to itch, then arm swelled with a rash, 3 days later things subsided but I still have a scar on my wrist.
They are nasty little barstewards!
Here is a link, not necessary to visit docs, (or even think about clogging up A&E!) unless you get the serious effects.

Yep...had one of those when fishing too. Wasn't too bad, I react more to horseflies.

Worst bites I have had were in Brazil years ago...one lot was what they call "bohacios" (almost certainly spelt wrong) which I am told is "little barstewards"....tiny little sand flies which I saw all the locals copiously covering themselves in repellent and I arrogantly decided I didn't need....well that night I realised I did as I was absolutely covered in angry bites....the second was worse as something laid it's egg in my arm (appreciate not a bite as such) and I only realised when back in the UK because something had hatched and was moving. Didn't really hurt but wasn't very pleasant. I also had one of my team hospitalised by a catapillar....so maybe we are lucky here with only annoying rather than deadly insects!

 

[sh1kar]

I had a lot of Tsetse fly bites hunting in Luangwa valley. V painful. Right through thick canvas shirt A real hot burning sensation. Moz in November and not usually too bad although because of the poaching elephant dung is hard to come by. Burnt in a bucket and hung on the back of the truck to disguise the co2 from breath
S

 

[User00030]

Here’s what happens when you ignore bites and crack on. No idea what bit me but tried to carry on until this monstrosity tracked into my chest and I ended up in hospital

 

[sh1kar]

Here’s what happens when you ignore bites and crack on. No idea what bit me but tried to carry on until this monstrosity tracked into my chest and I ended up in hospital

Yikes
That’s why I carry small first aid kit when abroad and hope the camp has the various snake bite antidotes in the fridge
S