Where are adult sand flies primarily found in South Carolina?

Adult sand flies are primarily found in coastal salt marshes and marshy areas in South Carolina due to their preferred habitats. These environments offer the moist, humid conditions that are ideal for their reproduction and survival. The sandy substrate and presence of organic matter in these regions provide favorable breeding sites for sand fly larvae, while the abundance of suitable hosts, such as birds and mammals, in these areas attracts adult flies for feeding.

In contrast, urban areas and buildings are not ideal environments for sand flies, as they thrive in more natural, wetland landscapes. The highlands and mountainous regions typically do not host the ecological conditions necessary for sand fly populations to flourish. Desert environments are also unsuitable for sand flies, as they require moisture and vegetation that are typically lacking in arid climates. Thus, identifying coastal salt marshes and marshy areas as the primary habitat for adult sand flies is consistent with their biological and ecological preferences.