THE MYCETOPHILID.E. 



lOI 



Antennae io-i6-jointed, porrect and simple; pronotum small; 

 scutum of meso-thorax undivided : wings and halteres present except 

 in EpidapHs ; the discal areolet wanting, veins few ; abdomen, seven 

 segments, rarely eight ; legs formed for leaping ; coxae large ; tips of 

 tibife armed with large spurs ; bristly hairs are developed on the legs, 

 which are not, however, macrochreta;.* 



Fig. i8. — Bolct'ma duhia. 

 Classification of Mycetopiiiiidce, 

 The family is now divided into eight sub-families, which are given 

 below in tabular form : 



A. Middle transverse vein elongated. 



a. Brachial vein wanting. 

 •5. Brachial vein present. 



I. Antennae not very long. 



a. Brachial vein long. 

 aa. Brachial vein short. 



II Antennae very long. 



b. Antenna setiform. 

 bb. Antennae filiform. 



B. Middle transverse vein not elongated. 



a. Brachial vein present, legs long. 



,5. Brachial vein wanting. 



* The Nematocera are characterized by the total absence of macrochseti^. The 

 stouter hairs on the thorax and scutellum of Ciilex and on the legs of the Myceto- 

 pliilidii:, Osten-Sacken tells us, " can hardly be considered as such" (An Essay 

 of Comp. ChKtotaxy, Tr. Ent. Soc, Load., 1884, Pt. 4). Continuing, he tells us 

 " The Culicidre, Chironomidce and Tipulidae are distinguished by the development 

 and sexual differentiation of the antennce, which are in this case very probably the 

 organs of orientation. The same conclusion may be arrived at with regard to the 

 Cecidomyidae and Mycctophilida." The difference, however, between the bristly 

 hairs on the legs of " Fungus Gnats " and the typical macrochsetce of the Musiidce 

 seems to be very slight. On the legs of certain Myietophilida and Cecidoniyiada: I 

 have found curious club-shaped hairs ; what their function is I do not know. Mr. 

 Dale thinks they are probably to assist them in leaping. 



I. Diadocidinoi. 



2. Mycetobimv.. 



3. CcroplatincJ:. 



4. Bolitophilhue. 



5. Macrocerince. 



6. Sciophilina. 



7. Mycefophilime. 



