28 



BRITISH FLIES 



The Empidae are small or occasionally moderately large predaceous 

 flies, and form tlie last family of tlie Brachyceea in which the basal 

 cells of the wing are rather long, but the general type of the venation 

 has become much more simple than in the previous families. Ordinary 

 pubescence is uncommon amongst them but rows of In-istles are usual, 

 and strong bristles commonly occur on the vertex, thorax, and legs. 



Dr A. W. Verrall is of opinion that the word E7npidid(x is pedantic 

 and instances Eiielpidw. 



28 (27) Wings with the basal cells very short and indistinct, the second 

 one being merged into the discal cell, and the anal cell very 

 short; radial and cubital veins diverging from a swelling near 

 the wing-base, and the discal cross-vein indistinctly occurring 

 near the same spot; discal cell extended to the base of the 

 wing ; cubital vein never forked. Alar squamae fairly large 

 and bearing long ciliation. Proboscis large and stout and 

 almost always i)ulpy. Antennas with the style or arista apical or 

 dorsal. Thorax with rows of bristles. Abdomen normally witli 

 only five or six segments (excluding the large male genitalia). 

 Colour usually metaUic green. XIV. DoLiCHOPODiDyE. 



Dolichojiua jKiiiuliinn S ■ 



The venation is very similar to that of the Ej>//i/>/fid(r, from which 

 the Dolkhopodido' are distinguished by the antennae, genitalia, squamse, 

 chsetotaxy, etc., as well as usually by the metallic green coloration, 

 and in life the DGlichopodidte sit in a very distinct attitude. 



The Dolichop)odid<je are always small flies of aipiatic habits, which are 

 almost always of a peculiar metallic green or blue-green colour. They 

 always rest in a characteristic erect attitude, the head and forepart being- 

 raised high up, and the insect appearing to be standing on tiptoe. 



The term Dolichopidte is incorrect ; the nearest defensible approach 

 is Dolichopodce. 



