FLIES. 237 



The species of the typical genus Trypeta, Meig., are yellowish- 

 grey flies of small or moderate size, and often with banded or 

 spotted wings. The flies are frequently gregarious, and are often 

 met with in abundance resting on flowers and flowering shrubs. 



The largest genus of this family is Tephritis, Latr., which may 

 be known from any other by its reticulated wings, and by its 

 scutellum being provided with two or four bristles. The species are 

 of small or moderate size, and are usually of a yellowish or greyish 

 colour. Their larvae feed on a great variety of plants. 



Some few species of this sub-family feed on fruits, and that 

 of Ceratitis Hispanica, Breme, is very destructive to oranges in the 

 south of Europe, etc. 



Sub-Family IV. — PiophiUnce. 



Head round ; borders of the mouth and vertex generally 

 bristly ; forehead broad ; abdomen often petiolated and curved ; 

 wings large or small ; legs sometimes bristly ; tips of tibiae gener- 

 ally unarmed. 



The typical species of this sub-family is Piophila Casei, Linn., a 

 black fly, about the size of a common house-fly, but more slender ; 

 it is not abundant in the perfect state, but may be reared in any 

 quantity from the " jumpers " which abound in cheese or bacon 

 after being left exposed for a short time, especially in summer. 



Sub-Family V. — Diopsince. 



Head provided with two long horns, at the extremities of 

 which the eyes are placed ; antennae inserted towards the tips 

 of these horns ; face, sides of thorax, and scutellum spiny. 



The species of this family are not numerous, and are entirely 

 exotic ; they are chiefly remarkable for their very singular struc- 

 ture. They are met with in various parts of Africa and the East 

 Indies, and are black or yellow, and the wings are generally more 

 or less spotted with brown. One species (Sphyrocephala Brevi- 

 cornis, Say) is met with in North America. They are insects of 

 moderate size, rarely exceeding a quarter of an inch in length. 



Sub-Family VI. — Chloropince. 



Head semicircular; mouth and vertex generally without 

 bristles ; forehead broad ; abdomen oval ; legs and wings short. 

 Most of the flies belonging to this sub-family are of small or 



