What is a common name for Black flies?

The common name for Black flies is the biting gnat. This term reflects their feeding behavior, as Black flies are known for their biting habits, particularly the females, which require blood for their reproductive processes. The name "biting gnat" effectively captures both the type of insect they are and their most notorious characteristic, making it easy for people to understand what to expect from them.

While there are other terms that might describe certain behaviors or characteristics of insects, "biting gnat" is the most widely recognized and used term specifically associated with Black flies. Other options do not accurately reflect the accepted vernacular used in entomology or among the public when referring to this particular insect.