102 



DIPTERA OF MINNESOTA. 

 PIPUNCULIDAE, 



Big-eyed Flies. 



These are very small flies which 

 frequent shady places. The more 

 common forms measure about one- 

 eighth of an inch in length. They 

 have large heads, mostly composed 

 of the large approximated eyes. 

 The head is broader than the 

 thorax, and the wings project be- 

 yond the posterior end of the ab- 

 domen. They can be collected 

 upon low plants. Aldrich lists only 25 species as occurring in North 

 America, all contained in three genera. In Great Britain there are 

 about twelve species. The larvae, as far as they have been studied, 

 are parasitic upon bugs. 



Pipuncnhis clegantulus, Will. ; has been taken in Minnesota. 



Fig. 98. A Big-eyed Fly, Pipuncuhis fuscus. 

 Lugger. Not collected in Minnesota. 



PLATYPEZIDAE, 



Flat-footed Flies. 



Fig. 99. 



Platypeca, sp. and view of tarsus, 

 much enlarged. Original. 



Our illustration shows why these 

 flies have the above name. We 

 have reared the imago from larvae 

 found in decaying mushrooms. 



The adults are seen flying about 

 in shady places, and on the leaves 

 of plants in such situations. The 

 family is not rich in species. Aid- 

 rich lists nineteen for North Amer- 

 ica (1904), and Great Britain 

 claims four genera and nearly a 

 score of species. 



Platypeza, sp., occurs in Minne- 

 sota. 



