DIPTERA OF MINNESOTA. 1(K{ 



PHORIDAE, 



Hump-backed Flics. 



The appearance of these small dark flies is well shown in Fig. 

 lOO. They are particularly striking- on account of their rounded 

 thorax — "hump-back" — and peculiar venation of their wings. This 

 hump-backed appearance is in part due to the fact that the head is 

 lower than the rest of the body, being almost under the anterior part 

 of the thorax, as shown in our illustration. They are observed in 

 swarms in the air, upon fallen leaves, and occasionally on windows, 

 though on account of their minute size they are not readily observed 

 by other than an entomologist. We found them in large numbers 

 in gardens in June on the so-called "Ash-leaf spirea." The larvae live 

 in decaying animal and vegetable matter, and are said to attack even 

 living insects. 



Sixty-four species are credited to North America (Aldrich, 1904). 

 Members of the family are said to be abundant in Europe. 



Fig. 100. A Pliorid, Coniccra atra. Original. 



We have taken in this state : Coniccra atra, Meig. ; Aphiochaeta 

 iii^riccps, Loew. 



CONOPIDAE, 



Thick-headed Flies. 



The flies in one division of this family have slender abdomens, 

 and head broad transversely, resembling petioled wasps quite decidedly. 



