(From the 21st Annual Report of the Department of 

 GeiiloKy and Natural Resources of Indiana. 1896.) 



A Collection of Diptera from Indiana Caves. 



BY J. M. ALDRICH. 



This collection embraces 12 species, of which five are herein described 

 as new, one constituting a new genus Two species are only generically 

 determined. The family Mycetophilida3 is represented by five species, 

 Helomyzidse by four, and Psychodidse, Borboridse and Phoridse by one 

 each. The Helomyzidse furnish by far the greater number of individ- 

 uals It does not appear that any of these species are wholly confined to 

 a cave life. They show no marked peculiarities of structure and are 

 probably found in shady places generally. None of those previously de- 

 scribed, except Blepharoptera defessa, have been heretofore known to in- 

 habit caves. 



1. Macrocera HIR8UTA Loew. 



Loew, Centuries IX, 5. 

 One specimen, Truett's Cave, July 9. Slightly larger than Loew's 

 type, thoracic dorsum and pleurae more infuscated ; halteres brownish at 

 tip. Described from the District of Columbia. I have no knowledge of 

 any captures of the species since that time till now. 



The specimen noted was taken on the wing in the main room of the cave, 800 

 feet from the entrance. — W. S. B. 



2. SCIARA 8PP. 



Two species, both small. Of the first, which is dark with a shining 

 black thoracic dorsum, there are seven specimens, six from near the 

 mouth of Salt Petre Cave, the other from Wyandotte Cave. November 

 5, 1896. Of the second, which is lighter with yellowish brown thorax, 

 one specimen is from Donnehue's Cave, July 14; another, Wyandotte 

 Cave, near Augur Hole. 



The specimens of Sciara were in all instances taken in small crannies in 

 damp portions of the cave. The "Augur Hole" of Wyandotte is about three- 

 fourths of a mile from the entrance. Species of the genus are quite common in 

 Maram(>th Cave, Kentucky, and the young, according to Osten Sacken, live on de- 

 caying vegetable matter, fangi, etc. — W. S. B. 



3. MyCETOPHILA UMBRATICU8 U. Sp. 



Female. Front dark brown ; palpi and three basil joints of antennae 

 yellow. Thorax clay yellow, somewhat pruinose with white, the dorsum 

 somewhat infuscated and provided with numerous stout black hairs along 

 the sides; scutellum and metanotum also brownish, the former with two 



