摘要：Introduction. The effectiveness of Simuliidae (Diptera, Nematocera) as indicators ofstream health was tested in the urbanizing area of Rome, Central Italy.Methods. 108 sampling sites were investigated in the spring to acquire data on environmentalvariables and black fly species.Results and discussion. The comparison of sampling and literature data highlighted thedisappearance of some species (Simulium reptans, S. vernum, S. liriense), possibly due towater pollution and land use changes. Correspondence analysis confirms altitude as themain factor influencing black fly species’ distribution. However, water quality becomespredominant when considering exclusively plain sites: “ornatum” and “equinum” speciesgroups show the greatest tolerance to chemical pollution. The high course of the Anieneriver and its tributaries were sampled bimonthly, confirming the spatial-temporal blackfly successions previously observed in central Apennines. The results also indicate thatS. ornatum may supplant all other species in areas where the rural use is substituted byurban landscape.Conclusion. In conclusion, black flies can be considered good environmental indicatorsto assess ecological health of both watercourses and surrounding landscapes.
关键词：Simuliidae; biological indicators; watercourses; human impact; environmental health
