246 



Superfamily Mycetophiloidea 



This superfamily, as at present defined, includes the following 

 families : Bolitophilidae, Mycetophilidae, Sciaridae, Macroceridae, 

 and Platyuridae. 



The first three families contain, as I believe, the most primitive 

 larval forms known to me, but the fifth has evolved a form that to my 

 mind shows considerable specialization, while the imagines show less 

 specialization, in so far as the wings are concerned, than do those of 

 Mycetophilidae and Sciaridae. The early stages of Macroceridae are 

 unknown to me. 



SUPERFAMILY CHARACTERS 



Larva. — Head complete, the sclerites, ventrally, more or less dis- 

 tinctly separated, often connected by narrow chitinized strips; 

 mandibles opposed, toothed ; antennae poorly developed except in 

 Bolitophilidae ; maxillae differing from those of other Nematocera in 

 having their inner margins serrate; maxillary palpi developed or un- 

 devfeloped. Larvae peripneustic except in Platyuridae, the latter with- 

 out distinct lateral abdominal spiracles and with protrusive anal re- 

 spiratory gills. Abdomen, and sometimes some or all of the thoracic 

 segments, with locomotor spinules, or the entire body without such 

 organs. Abdominal segments in Platyuridae with conspicuous trans- 

 verse ridges, giving the body an annular appearance. 



Pupa. — Head small, sometimes retracted, bringing its anterior 

 margin in line with anterior margin of thorax; antennae elongate, 

 either curved over eyes or projecting in a straight line from upper 

 margin of head to base of wing or slightly beyond that point. Thoracic 

 respiratory organs sessile, very rarely elevated. Wings more or less 

 closely adherent to body ; legs long, straight, extending much beyond 

 apices of wings. Abdomen with 6 pairs of spiracles and without dis- 

 tinct armature on dorsum ; apical segment sometimes with 4 short 

 spines. 



Imago. — The imagines of this superfamily have the radial vein of 

 wings with 2 or 3 branches. The species which have 2 branches only, 

 lack the medio-cubital cross-vein. One of the subfamilies which I 

 have placed in Mycetophilidae has the radius with 3 branches, but the 

 second joins the first and forms a more or less elongated closed cell, 

 and the medio-cubital cross-vein is absent. The antennae are filiform, 

 very rarely thickened, and occasionally remarkably elongated and 

 slender; the proboscis is usually short and fleshy, rarely elongate 

 (Asinditliim and Bugnoristc) . For synoptic characters see key to 

 imagines of Nematocera. 



