220 Transactions. — Zoology. 



Older DIPTERA. 



Wings two, mesothoracic, membranous, with radiate veins ; 

 posterior wings wanting, represented by a pair of small 

 clavate filaments called halteres ; mouth suctorial ; meta- 

 morphosis perfect ; larva apodal ; pupa inactive. 



Section I. OETHOEHAPHA. 

 The pupa-case opening longitudinall}'. 



Division I. Nematoceea. 



The flies belonging to this division are characterized by the 

 possession of long thread-like antennae, consisting of several 

 joints, in many instances oramented with whorls of long, 

 delicate hairs, especially in the males. Nearly all are to be 

 recognised without much difficulty by their long and slender 

 body and limbs, small rounded head, and elevated thorax. 

 As typical examples may be mentioned the mosquitoes 

 {Culicidce) , daddy-long-legs (Tipidi'dcB), and midges {Chirono 

 midce). They are usually to be met with in all damp and 

 shady situations, though they display considerable variety in 

 habitat, appearance, and characters, as will be shown when 

 the families are considered in detail. As these conditions in 

 regard to habitat are thoroughly satisfied in many parts of 

 New Zealand, it is only to be expected that we should possess 

 an abundance of species and genera. The proper collection of 

 the species would probably occupy many years, and the fol- 

 lowing papers will deal with what is probably quite a small 

 percentage of the total number of species in the colony : — 



Family 1. Cecldomyidcs (Gall Midges). — Small, delicate 

 species. Antennae generally long and necklace-like. Often no 

 ocelli. Legs very long and slender ; coxa3 short ; tibiae slender, 

 without spurs. Wings well haired, with very few veins. The 

 larvae are generally parasites on plants, but in a few cases live 

 on dead vegetable matter beneath the bark of decaying trees. 

 The irritation produced by the larvae is frequently the cause 

 of galls and other monstrous growths on plants. The perfect 

 insects are found abundantly in shady places in forests, and 

 are also frequent on window-panes facing shady or overgrown 

 gardens. 



Family 2. SciaridcB (Shade Midges). — Generally small. 

 Antennae moderately long, curved, with cylindrical bead-like 

 joints. Ocelli, three. Legs moderately long, slender; tibiae 

 with or without spurs. Wings often dark, usually without 

 hairs, their neuration approaching that of the last family. 

 The larvae and pupa are found in decaying vegetable matter, 

 especially in rotten potatoes. Perfect insect very abundant 

 during the whole summer, especially in damp, shady localities. 



