The Crane-Flies of New York — Part II 829 



Wing sheaths ending opposite middle of third abdominal segment. Leg sheaths ending 

 opposite base of fifth abdominal segment, the tarsi terminating on a level or nearly so. 

 Abdominal tergites and sternites each with four transverse rows of microscopic setae; lateral 

 spiracles on segments 2 to 7; no apparent spiracles on dorsum of segment S. 



Dicranoptycha is a principally Holarctic genus including twelve known 

 species, six of which occur in the United States. The flies are of medium 

 size and of a dull, inconspicuous appearance, and are rather difficult of 

 taxonomic separation. The life histories of members of this genus have 

 only recently been ascertained. The following notes are taken from 

 more detailed accounts in earlier papers by the writer (Alexander, 1919, 

 a and b). 



The habits of the immature stages of Dicranoptycha may be briefly 

 summarized as follows: The larvae and the pupae live in rich humous 

 soil overlain with a cover of leaf mold and other vegetable debris. They 

 frequent open woods where there is more or less shubl^ery and tall herbage. 

 Running streams or rills are not necessary for the development of the 

 immature stages. The larvae live in the uppermost zone of the soil, where 

 they are associated with a rather characteristic group of animal forms, 

 such as dipterous larvae (Sciara), beetle larvae, and centipedes. They 

 are characterized by the exceedingly long, slender body and the shiny 

 glabrous skin, and may be confused with no other dipterous larva yet 

 made known. The glassy appearance of the body suggests the shiny 

 shell of a small univalve snail, the dead fragments of which occurred in 

 some numbers in the same situations. The larvae of Dicranoptycha 

 winnemana Alex., an Austral species, attain a length of from 20 to 22 

 millimeters, with an average diameter of only 1 millimeter. The larvae 

 of the genus are herbivores. When ready to pupate they incase them- 

 selves in compact earthen cells, which are 10 x 3.5 millimeters in size, 

 firm in texture, and rather thick-walled but apparently without silk. 

 There is a small opening at either end. The pupal period is about ten 

 days or possibly a little less. Pupation takes place in the relatively chy 

 soil that forms the larval haunt. 



The pupa of Dicranoptycha winnemana measures from 9.1 to 12.8 

 millimeters in total length. The width at the wing pad is about 1.7 

 millimeters. The diagnostic features are given above at some length 

 for the genus and need not be repeated here. For other notes the reader 

 is referred to the papers already cited. 



