3O2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 



Micropterygid group (Tricholepidoptera) is extremely primi- 

 tive, and might possibly be regarded as a separate order, but 

 it is preferable to give it the rank of a suborder. This group 

 is closely related to the Neuroptera and also to the Trichop- 

 tera. The Tineid group (true Microlepidoptera} is closely 

 related to the Micropterygid group, the two together constitut- 

 ing the more primitive lines of descent of the Lepidopterous 

 insects. Of the higher groups, the Pyralid group (Mcso- 

 Icpidoptera) is somewhat intermediate between the lower 

 forms and the Hesperiid group whose line of descent closely 

 parallels that of the Papilionid group (Eulcpidoptcra). 



The ancestors of the Diptera arose from forms occupying a 

 position intermediate between the Meropid group and the 

 Nemopterid group, which is closely related to the Neuroptera, 

 so that the Dipteron line of descent, if traced further back, 

 ultimately approaches that of the Netiropterous forms. The 

 line of descent of the Diptera also approaches that of the 

 Homopterous insects, but the relationship is not a very close 

 one. Of the lower Dipterous forms, the Psychodid group 

 and the Tipulid group (Prodiptera) have retained cer- 

 tain characters suggestive of the Neuroptera, Trichop- 

 tera and Meropid group. The Leptid group (Mesodlp- 

 tera) is related to both the Tipulid group and the Muscid 

 group (.Eudiptera) . The Hippoboscid group {Metadiptera) 

 has become markedly different from the remainder of the 

 Diptera, while the Nycteribiid group (Apodiptera) has be- 

 come so greatly modified, that it might be considered as a dis- 

 tinct order. The Braulid group (Paradiptera*) has departed 

 sufficiently far from the main Dipteron stem to be considered 

 as a distinct order, since these insects have lost the halteres in 

 addition to the wings, eyes, ocelli, etc., and the tarsi and other 

 parts have become profoundly modified, so that they would 

 scarcely be recognized as Dipteroid forms, -did we not know 

 their mode of reproduction, etc. The Phorid group (Siphono- 

 diptera) serves to connect the Diptera with the Siphonap- 

 tera (Pulicid group), although it has not departed mark- 

 edly enough from the Dipteron stem to be considered as a 

 separate order. 



