DIPTERA OF MINNESOTA. 



53 



siderbly over looo known species of Chironomidae in the entire world. 

 The larvae or maggots are delicate, frequently translucent, crea- 

 tures, living for the most part in water, but also found in other places 



Fig. 37. A Chironomid. Also 

 antenna of male. (Original.) 



Fig. 38. Pupa of Chironomid, 

 Tanyfus dyari. Original. Note 

 the resemblance to the - pupa 

 of a mosquito. 



where there is moisture, such as under leaves in the soil, in decaying 

 vegetables, in pitcher plants, in the sap under bark, etc. The larvae 

 of some species are red, which color is due to haemaglobin, such as 

 we have in our own blood, and which so easily unites and parts with 

 oxygen. The aquatic larvae of some species form an important item 



in the food of trout. It is interesting to 

 note that some of these larvae are found in 

 salt water, occasionally at great depths. The 

 late Dr. Packard dredged live Chironomid 

 larvae in the harbor of Salem, Massachu- 

 setts, and in Lake Superior Chironomid 

 larvae have been dredged from i,ooo feet be- 

 low the surface. They are found in salt 

 lakes, and the larval form of one species 

 has been discovered living at a depth of 

 twenty fathoms at sea. The pupae are 

 found in water, and the pupae of at least one 

 species is said to produce eggs. We find 

 in this family the celebrated "punkies" or 

 "no-see-ums" (see illustration), those al- 

 most invisible pests, which are veritable 

 blood suckers, and which go through almost 

 any net, no matter how fine. When one 

 is atacked by these creatures, scientific im- 



I'-ig. 38a. Ceratopogon, sp., No- ■' ...... 



see-um," "Punkie," greatly pulse UpOtt the part of the VlCtim IS lOSt, 

 enlarged. Lugger. sr r 



