The Crane-Flies of New York — Part II 933 



Briich (ui lilt.) mentions the rearing of Trimicra redproca (Walk.) in 

 Argentina from larvae very similar to that described above, occurring in 

 the same type of habitat. 



Genus Empedomorpha Alexander (Gr. Empeda + shape) 



1916 Empedomorpha Alex. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., p. 507-508. 



Empedomorpha is a monotypic genus of flics, evidently related to 

 Trimicra. It is very curious in its marked sexual dimorphism, the male 

 having an extremely largo, hairy stigma, which encroaches upon the 

 adjoining veins and often distorts them. The fly is still very insufficiently 

 known. It is a prairie-inhabiting species, occurring from South Dakota 

 to Texas and New Mexico. Nothing is known concerning the immature 

 stages, and the following observations on the habits and occurrence of 

 the adult flies are all that are available. 



Empedomorpha empedoides (Alex.) 



191G (?) Trimicra empedoides Alex. Can. Ent., vol. 48, p. 44-45. 



Empedomorpha empedoides, as stated under the generic account above, 

 is a prairie-inhabiting species. Adult flies were found running about 

 on the sand flats of the Arkansas River, near Cimarron, Kansas, from 

 July 13 to 15, 1917, l)y H. L. Fackler and the writer. The vegetation 

 of the sand bars here is very sparse to almost lacking, a few psammophytic 

 grasses being the main element. Associated with these flies on the sandy 

 surface were a characteristic group of sand-loving insects, of which the 

 following were the most constant: larvae and adults of tiger beetles, 

 representing at least three species of Cicindela; ground beetles, Carabidae, 

 including such genera as Omophron, Dyschirius, Bembidion, Tachys, and 

 a few others; rove beetles, Staphylinidae, such as Stenus; Heteroceridae, 

 Psammocharidae, Asilidae, Saldidae, and similar groups. In the cool of 

 early evening, numerous small spiders that lurk in hollows and in deserted 

 insect burrows during the day emerge from hiding and become active. 



The crane-flies were observed during the hours of bright sunlight, when 

 the temperature registered over 100° F. in the sun. They run rapidly 

 over the moist sand, their course being very shifting and zigzag, quite 

 like that of tiger beetles. They fly readily but only for short distances, 

 and prefer to alight on the sand rather than on the vegetation. They 

 walk awkwardly over the sand, but are able to crawl up grass blades or 



