Old fly, new trick: Hippelates insignificans (Malloch, 1931) (Diptera: Chloropidae) biting humans

Hippelates insignificans is reported for the first time as biting humans. A persistent pattern of biting was experienced at Lake Aviemore (MK) over the summers of 2005, 2006 and 2007. The biting was followed by the development of uncomfortable itching and mild rash that persisted for several hours. As it was unknown what the biting fly was, and it may have been a novel exotic unwanted nuisance biter, potentially with conservation or human health significance, a MAFBNZ Exotic Disease Investigation was undertaken. The ecological, medical or nuisance biting significance of this species has yet to be investigated in detail, but it is concluded that the biting experienced is linked to the climatic conditions in the region, and that this species is not a known vector of disease, and represents a low risk for disease vector potential.