838 Charles Paul Alexander 



summer and early fall. In such cases the larval existence is, of course, 

 greatly shortened. The laival habitat is exceedinglj^ varied and may be 

 summarized as follows : ^ 



Tanyderidae. — Nothing whatever is known of the immature stages of this group of flies, 

 and it is very desirable that some of the forms should be reared. They are very rare, how- 

 ever, and even the adults are uncommon in collections. It is very probable that the larvae 

 of sp)ecies of Protoplasa, the only genus in the Northern Hemisphere, will be found to be 

 amphibious, such a larval habitat often characterizing primitive forms. 



Ptychopleridae. — Semi-aquatic or amphibious (Ptychoptera, Bittacomorpha, Bittacomor- 

 phella). 



Rhyphidae. — In decaying vegetable and animal matter (Trichocera, Mycetobia, Rhyphus) . 



Tipulidae. — Limnobiini : Aquatic, in silken cases or tubes among submerged mosses 

 {Dicrarwmyia simulans); semi-aquatic or in moist earth {Limnobia fallax, and probably 

 L. solitaria and L. parietina); in decaying vegetable matter {Limnobia indigena, Rhipidia 

 doniesiica); in decaying wood and under the bark {Dicrarwmyia rara, D. macateei, D. dume- 

 torum, Discobola, Limnobia cinctipes, L. annulus, Rhipidia bryanli, R. fidelis, and others); in 

 fimgi {Limnobia xanthoptera, L. triocellata, and sometimes L. cinctipes). The Hawaiian 

 species Dicranomyia foliocuniculator Swezey mines in the leaves of gesneriaceous plants 

 (Cyrtandra), forming long, tortuous tunnels. 



Antochini : Aquatic, very similar to habitat of Dicranomyia simulans as described above, 

 in silken cases on rocks that are thoroly wet (Elliptera) ; in submerged stems of Rumex aquaticus 

 {Rhamphidia longirostris); in slow or rapid water on stones (Antocha); in moist earth or mud 

 {Toxorhina muliebris); under the bark of decaying trees {Elephantomyia westwoodi, Teucholabis 

 complexa). 



Eriopterini: In moist earth or mud in close pro.ximity to water (most species of the 

 tribe — Ormosia nubila, 0. innocent, 0. meigenii, 0. nigripila, Erioptera chlorophylla, E. 

 vespertina, E. septemtrionis, Molophilus pubipennis, Helobia hybrida, Gonomyia sulphurella, 

 and others); in earth of a somewhat drier natiu-e (Chionea); in wet sandy soil {Gonomyia 

 alexanderi); under the bark of decaying trees {Gnophomyia tristissima). The tropical species of 

 Trentepohlia live in decaying vegetable matter, or, as in the case of the two American species 

 T. bromeliadicola and T. leucoxena, in the water gathered in the axils of bromeliaceous plants. 



Limnophilini : Aquatic {Limnophila luteipennis and others); in wet or saturated organic 

 mud in close proximity to running or standing water (most species of the tribe — Limnophila 

 macrocera, L. tenuicornis, L. lenuipes, L. recondita, L. adusta, Adelphomyia, and others); 

 in decaying wood and under the bark {Epiphragma fascipennis, E. solatrix, E. picta, Limnoph- 

 ila unica, and others); in fungi ( Ula elegans, U. macroptera, and others). 



Hexatomini: Aquatic in the early larval stages, going to land only when fully grown 

 and ready to transform to the pupal condition; in sandy soil in close proximity to rather 

 large streams or rivers {Eriocera spinosa, E. longicornis, E. fidtonensis, E. trislis, Hexatoma 

 mcgacera, and others); in organic earth and rich humus {Penthoplera albitarsis). As stated 

 elsewhere, the larvae of this tribe are carnivorous, the larger species feeding on organisms 

 as large as the nymphs of dragon-flies. 



Pediciini : Aquatic or amphibious (probably all the species of the tribe — Pedicia albivitta, 

 P. rivosa, Tricyphona, Rhaphidolabis (enuipes, R. flaveola, Dicranota bimaculata, and others). 

 As stated elsewhere, the larvae of this tribe are carnivorous, those of the species of Dicranota 

 feeding on worms of the genus Tubifex. 



Cylindrotominae: Aquatic, on submerged plants and similar places {Phalacrocera 

 replicala); in mountain torrents on the aquatic moss Fontinalis {Triogma trisidcata). Terres- 

 trial, on leaves of flowering plants, as species of Anemone, Stellaria, Viola, and other genera 

 {Cylindrotoma dislinctissima); on mosses of the genus Hypnum and related species {Liogma 



' The following entomologists have kindly supplied the writer with specimens or data on certain species 

 as follows: Johannscn, Limnobia falkiz; Greene, L. indigena; Shannon and Knab, Rhipidia bryanti; 

 Mrs. Totbiil, Toxorhina; Johusoa and Shannon, Elephantomyia; Hyslop, Oropeza and Longurio. 



