1)0 



DIPTERA OF MINNESOTA. 



S. Ihnatuhis, Say ; S. siinson, Fab. ; Systoechus vulgaris, Loew. ; 

 SparnopoUus fnliiis, Wied. ; Systropus macer, Loew ; Exoprosopa 

 decora, Loew, Fig. 17, Colored Plate II; E. capuciiia. Fab.; E. fasciata, 

 Macq. ; Anthrax alternata, Say; A. ccyx, Loew; A. halcyon. Say; 

 A. sinuosa, Wied.; A. tegniinipennis. Say; A. agrippina, O. S. ; 

 A. fulviana, Say; A. lateralis, Say; A. consessor, Coq. ; A. hypomelas, 

 Macq.; A. costata, Say; A. fulvorhirta, Wied.; A. fenestratoides, Coq.; 

 Argyramoeha oedipus, Fab. ; Systoechus candidulus, Loew. ; So. Dak. ; 

 Phthethiria sulphurea, Loew ; Lugger speaks also of Systoejchus orcas, 

 Fig. 83 in text, occurring in Minnesota among the tgg masses of locusts, 

 though we find no specimens in the collection. It is believed by many 



Fig. 83 and 



Systoechus oreas, imago and larva; b, head of larva from side; c, head from 

 front; d, preanal spiracle. After Riley. 



that Botnbyliids do not use their proboscids for anything but sipping 

 nectar or gathering pollen, but the writer has been quite severely 

 "bitten" by them, and his experience was duplicated by Dr. Lugger, 

 who says, in discussing this useful parasite, on page 43 of the Third 

 Annual Report, speaking of the above species : "This proboscis 

 can be used for other purposes than sipping nectar, as the writer 

 found out to his sorrow, when he attempted to catch some of them with 

 his hand and succeeded. Violent pain, a swollen finger and added 

 knowledge were other results of the catch not bargained for." He 

 further says in the same connection : "Early in August these flies 

 (S. oreas) were exceedingly numerous, hovering in the air, and 

 keeping their wings in such rapid motion that they cannot be dis- 

 tinguished, and appear like a haze surrounding the body of the insects. 



