buckie fly n Also sp buckeye fly [Because its appearance in the spring coincides with the migration of the buckie n1; cf the similar ref to the migration of shad n 1 in shadbird n, shadbush n (and other names for serviceberry n), shad fly n, shad frog n, and shad spirit n] sNEng coast, esp RI
= black fly n.
1910 Norwich Bulletin (CT) 23 Mar 6/3, The troublesome buckie flies have appeared and soon buckies will furnish favorite fishing sport. 1953 Mosquito News 13.241 RI, Blackflies are a source of numerous complaints. . . They are locally known as “Buckie flies,” since the attacks, presumably by P. hirtipes (Fries), coincide with the migration of the alewife, a fish known locally as the “Buckie.” 1969 DARE (Qu. R11, A very tiny fly that you can hardly see, but that stings) Inf RI4, Buckie fly. 1995 Verbatim 21.3.5 RI, When black flies bite, they do attract your attention. But probably only in seagirt states do the insects go by the name buckeye flies. The explanation? The anadromous herring return each spring and course up the streams to spawn, streams such as Buckeye Brook in Charlestown. Herring? Yes, but locally called buckeyes, and their return coincides with the appearance of the unwelcome flies. . . [I]n Rhode Island this would be pronounced . . “buckee.”