[An invasion of insect Simulium columbaczese (Diptera, Simuliidae) described in an old Romanian chronicle]

The oldest description of an invasion of Simulidae on the present territory of Romania, containing unique data for the history of parasitology in the Danube valley, has been discovered by the author in an anonymous chronicle "Istoria Tării Româneşti de la Octombrie 1688 până la Martie 1717 (History of Wallachia from October 1688 to March 1717), written at the Court of the Prince of Wallachia, Constantin Brâncoveanu. In the last decade of the XVIIth ctry, the Prince, at the head of his army, had to march in order to defend the Wallachian Danube border in the area of its gorges. The chronicle describes the delay caused on the way by an invasion of "poisonous" flies, attacking both animals and people. This description is detailed enough to establish that it is regarding an invasion of Simulium columbaczense, insect present in the area even nowadays. The development of these insects is favourised by numerous rivulets coming down mountain slopes of the Danube.