155 



Family Pantophthalmidse 



Pantophthalmus sp., natural size. 



Very large, usually broad, bristleless flies. 



Eyes large, contiguous above the antennae in the male; face rather 

 short but often produced below into a distinct beak. Proboscis short, 

 not adapted for piercing, with fleshy labella?; palpi three-segmented, 

 the basal segment short; ocelli present. Antennae elongate, the third 

 segment annulate and with a style-like apical section which may or may 

 not be well differentiated. Squama? small. "VVings with two submarginal 

 and five posterior cells, the fourth posterior cell and the anal cell closed. 

 Tibia) without apical spurs; posterior femora usually with a strong spur 

 on the under surface beyond the middle; empodia pad-like. 



The three genera placed in this family are closely related and there 

 has always been much doubt concerning the validity of RJiapJiiorhjjn- 

 cJius which is undoubtedly but poorly separated from Panfo})]if]i((]mus 

 {AcantJiomera Wiedemann). The genus Atoponniia Austen contains 

 one species which is readily recognized by its slender, Mydns-like form. 

 Austen* has revised the family ])ut does not present keys to the species. 



Tlie Panto])hthalmida' occur only in the American trojucs. The 

 larvjE bore in solid wood (often in living trees) and the rasping sound 

 made bv them may be audible for a distance of several feet. 



* 1923, Proe. Zool. Soc. London, pp. 551-598. 



