They spend most of their lives in water as nymphs, a non-flying stage in their development. The adults emerge winged from April through October. They do not feed at all during their brief adulthood, and die after 1 or 2 days. All are members of order Ephemeroptera. I do not know of any nicknames for mayflies.
Black flies breed in running water, unlike mosquitoes, which breed in stagnant water.
The Black Flies of Maine. Experimental Stream Applications of B.T.I. for Human Nuisance Black Fly Management in a recreational area. Possible control of the Black Fly Simulium Penobscotensis by Temporary Habitat Alteration. Research on the Black Fly Problem in Maine, a Report to the 105th Maine Legislature. Most control has concentrated on personal measures, such as use of repellant, and timing activities to avoid the hours, dates, temperatures, or places of maximum appearance.