blackfly
noun
black·fly
ˈblak-ˌflī 
plural blackflies or blackfly
: any of various small dark-colored insects
especially
: any of a family (Simuliidae and especially genus Simulium) of bloodsucking dipteran flies whose larvae usually live in flowing streams
Examples of blackfly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The lakes in northern Indiana were freshly frozen, and big bluegills were schooled up and biting like blackflies under the new ice.
—
Wilson H. Stover, Outdoor Life, 5 Dec. 2024
Bug Shirt Untreated loose-knit fabrics provide no defense from mosquitoes, blackflies, and ticks.
—Andrew Skurka, Outside Online, 21 May 2018
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Wilson H. Stover, Outdoor Life, 5 Dec. 2024
Bug Shirt Untreated loose-knit fabrics provide no defense from mosquitoes, blackflies, and ticks.
—Andrew Skurka, Outside Online, 21 May 2018
Cite this Entry
“Blackfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blackfly. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
blackfly
noun
black·fly
ˈblak-ˌflī
plural blackflies or blackfly
: a two-winged fly that bites and whose larvae live in flowing streams
Medical Definition
blackfly
noun
black·fly
ˈblak-ˌflī
plural blackflies
: any of a family (Simuliidae) and especially genus Simulium of bloodsucking dipteran flies
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share