LVIII. FAMILY TACHINID^S. 



Fig. 147. E.rorista ajfiuis, enlarged. After Washburn. 



Rather small to rather large, bristly flies, thinly or not 

 at all pilose, usually thick-set. Eyes pubescent or bare; 

 those of the male more approximated than those of the 

 female, or contiguous. Front with a row of bristles on 

 each side, descending to or below the base of the anten- 

 nae; with or without orbital bristles. First antennal joint 

 short; second joint usually shorter than the third; third 

 joint usually more or less elongated, sometimes dilated 

 or fissured; decumbent; arista bare, three-jointed, the 

 first joint always short, often atrophied and impercepti- 

 ble; second joint sometimes elongate (13) and geniculate. 

 Face al\\\ys with a well-marked median depression, 

 which sometimes has a carina in its middle. Proboscis 

 sometimes elongate and slender, but usually short and 

 with broad labella; palpi never with more than one joint, 

 which is sometimes rudimentary. Ocelli present. Abdo- 

 men composed of four or five visible segments; with mar- 



