FAM. EMPIDID/E : 287. 
Wahlgren, Ent. Tidskr. Vol. 31, p. 88 [1910] (Tachista); Frey, Act. 
Soc. Sc. Fenn. Helsingfors, Vol. 37 (3), p. 72 [1913] (Tachista) 
apicata, Steeger, in litt., Zetterstedt, Dipt. Scand. Vol. 8, p. 3or1 [1849] 
(Tachypeza). 
43. T. tuberculata, Loew, Zeitschr. Ent. Breslau, Vol. 1:7, p. 25 [1864] C. Europe. 
(Tachista); Verrall, Ent. Mag. London, Vol. 48, p. 26 [1912] 
(Tachista). 
44. T. undulata, Strobl, Mem. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. Vol. 3, p. 317 [1906]. Spain. 
(Tachysta); Kertész, Cat. Dipt. Vol. 6, p. 168 [1909] (Coryneta) ; 
Strobl, Verh. Zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, Vol. 59, p. 182 [1909] (TacAysta). 
45. T. varipennis, Coquillett, Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash. Vol. 5, p. 266 (1903); United States. 
Slosson, Ent. News, Philad. Vol. 14, p. 267 (1903); Melander, 
Psyche, Vol. 17, p. 56, f. r1 (1910). 
3. GENUS PIELTAINIA, ARIAS 
Pieltainia, Arias, Bol. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. Vol. 19, p. 479 (1919). 
Characters. — Entirely dull black, measuring less than three millimeters, the tarsi and 
sometimes the knees alone paler. Proboscis vertical, palpi narrow; antennz porrect, the apical joint 
acuminate and with terminal arista; eyes large, occupying the whole side of the head. Legs simple in 
both sexes, slender, cursorial, the front femora slightly thelargest. Maleabdomen with blunttermination, 
female abdomen pointed. Wings and halteres entirely wanting. 
Genotype : P. iberia, Arias. This is the only Empid known that is entirely wingless In 
several of the genera of this subfamily there is a tendency toward rudimentary wings, in some cases a 
concomitant or possibly the reaction of the specialized cursorial habit, in other cases, e. g. the maritime 
species, the result of persistent winds making flying dangerous. Even the coastal and cascadal species 
with functional wings are loathe to fly. The present species was found in early spring actively running 
about in pursuit of Sciaras and other microscopic Diptera on which it preyed. 
Geographical distribution. 
1. P. iberica, Arias, Bol. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. Vol. I9, p. 479, I. lta & 2a Spain. 
(1919). 
4. GENUS DYSALETRIA, LoEw 
Dysaletria, Loew, Zeitschr. Ent. Breslau, Vol. 14, p. 7 (1860); Bigot, Ann. Soc. Ent. France (6), 
Vol. 9, p. 124 (1889); Becker, Mitteil. Zool. Mus. Berlin, Vol. 2, p. 43 (1902); Coquillett, Proc. 
Wash. Ent. Soc. Vol. 5, p. 249 (1903); Kertész, Cat. Dipt. Vol. 6. p. 143 (1909); Melander, 
Psyche, Vol. 17, p. 49 (1910); Wahlgren, Ent. Tidskr. Vol. 31, p. 45 (1910). 
Characters. — Small yellow species with black head. Head globose, proboscis short; antennae 
small, the third joint oval, with a slender apical arista. Thorax subopaque, with short pubescence. 
Legs slender, the anterior femora but slightly thickened, last joint of the hind tarsi somewhat widened. 
Wings narrow, the anal angle much reduced, basal cells long and equal, the crossveins near the middle 
of the wing, third and fourth veins parallel and close together, ending at the wing-tip, anal cell wanting, 
or only the outer angle visible. 
Tyne species : D. aíricepbs, Boheman. 
