456 



THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



tion of the wings (Fig. 545). The branches of vein III are 

 crowded together near the costal border of the wing ; and 



FIG. 546 Puparium of Udo>i 



VUt 



VTIj-l-IX 



FIG. 545. Wing of Stratiomyia. 



the first cell V, is unusually short and broad ; the branches 



of Vein V and vein VII, are comparatively weak. 



These flies are found on flowers and leaves, especially in 



the vicinity of water and in bogs and marshes. The larvae 



live in water, earth or decaying wood. 

 Some are carnivorous, others feed on 

 decaying vegetable matter. They 



have six or seven pairs of spiracles ; the pupa state is passed 



within the skin of the larva (Fig. 546). 



Family LEPTID.E (Lep'ti-dae). 

 The Snipe- flies. 



These trim-appearing flies have rather long legs, a cone- 

 shaped abdomen tapering towards the hind end (Fig. 547), 

 and sometimes a downward-projecting proboscis, which 

 with the form of the body and legs has sug- 

 gested the name snipe-flies. Some members of 

 the family, however, are remarkable for their re- 

 semblance to certain Ichneumon-flies, the abdo- 

 men being long and somewhat compressed. 



The body is naked or hairy, but it is not 

 clothed with strong bristles. Frequently the 

 hairy covering, though short, is very dense and is 

 of strongly-contrasting colors. Three ocelli are 

 present. The antennae vary greatly in form ; in some 



FIG. 547. 

 Chrysofiila 

 thoracica. 



