buffalo gnat

American  

noun

1. black fly.

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buffalo gnat British  

noun

1. Also called: black fly.  any of various small North American blood-sucking dipterous insects of the genus Simulium and related genera: family Simuliidae

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Etymology

Origin of buffalo gnat

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25

Example Sentences

She took a side trip into her experiences reporting on white supremacists, likening them to the biting buffalo gnats that invaded Greenville last spring.

From New York Times

It says the flies, also known as “buffalo gnats,” will try to crawl into people’s ears, noses and eyes.

From Washington Times

The extended snow means extended melt, and the heavy runoff has led to a bumper crop of biting buffalo gnats, residents of Sierraville complained at the village market.

From Los Angeles Times

The recent rains and flooding have left parts of the state awash in high, running water - ideal breeding conditions for the bugs also known as biting gnats or buffalo gnats.

From Washington Times

They weaned Billy Louise's thoughts from her own ranch worries and nagged at her with the persistence of a swarm of buffalo gnats.

From Project Gutenberg