FAMILY PHORID.E 



235 



The larval habits arc diverse. Some are parasitic while others are 

 unquestionably scavengers. The larva of Apocephalus lives in the 

 heads of ants, the head dropping off when the larva is mature, while 

 that of Cataclinusa pachycliondijJcv lives curled about the necks of ant 

 larvie and feeds upon the food proffered the latter by the ants. Some 

 species live on decaying animal matter and at least one species has been 

 reared from honey comb. The family is one of great interest and offers 

 an excellent field of study for patient, careful students of animal 

 behavior. 



Tlu' latest revision of the North American species is by Mallocli.* 

 The following key is adapted from Schmitzf and may prove unsatis- 

 factory in some respects, but as I lack very many of the genera I am 

 unable to improve upon it. Some of the characters used appear to be 

 of little value from a generic standpoint but the species included in 

 the genera present differences in addition to those given. Despite the 

 title, Schmitz' paper is little more than a generic revision insofar as 

 the taxonomist is concerned but a complete bibliography is included. 



KEY TO GEXERAJ 



1. Prothoiacic spiracle lateral 2 



Prothoracic spiracle dorsal (18) ^nigmatias Meinert 



2. Supra-antennal bristles proclinate, if absent the tibi« lack isolated 



strong- bristles 18 



Supra-antennal bristles erect, divergent or reclinate, if absent the 

 tibise bear strong bristles; never wingless 3 



3. Third vein with very evident branch 4 



Third vein not forked or only obscurely so 11 



* 1912. Proc. U. S. N. M.. xliii, pp. 411-529. 



t 1929. Rev. der Phoriden, privately published (Diimmler, Berlin & Bonn). 



I Checked by Dr. C. T. Brues. 



Phoridae I. — 1. Pulicophora, $ ; 2, Megaselia; 3, Phora, antenna; 4, Coniccra, antenna; 

 5, Megraselia ; 6, Hypocera; 7, Apocephalus, antenna. 



