226 



ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY 



They are grayish-black, not over one twenty-fifth of an inch long, 



and the larvae develop in the water in stumps and logs and under 



damp, dead bark. 



The net-winged midges (Blepharoceridae) are so called on account 



of the peculiar network of small veins crossing the main wing- 



veins around the margin of 

 the wing, which are peculiar to 

 this family. The small, black 

 larvae live in masses on the 

 rocks in swift-running moun- 

 tain streams, and seem to have 

 but seven segments strongly 

 constricted at each joint. 



The Dixa-midges (Dixidae) 

 include but a single genus, 

 whose larvae are also aquatic. 

 Both of the last families com- 



- Q , a few uncommon 



species, and lack the whorls 



x 



of hairs of the male antennae. 

 The black-flies (Simultidae). Another pest of mountain lovers is 

 the black fly, the females of which are most bloodthirsty and often 



FIG. 356. 



(Four times natural size) 

 a, larva ; b, pupa ; t, adult. (After Weed) 



FIG. 357. The fickle midge (Sciara inconstant], a fungus-gnat sometimes trouble- 

 some in greenhouses. (Much enlarged) 



rt, male ; , genital organs of same ; c, female ; d, enlarged antennal segments of same ; 



e , maxillary palpus of same ; /, tip of abdomen of same from side ; g, pupa ; /i, larva. (After 



Chittenden, United States Department of Agriculture) 



