46 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



ORDER XIII. DIPTEBA, Aristotle. 



Characters. Wings two, membranous, not capable of being 

 folded ; lialteres two, small filaments clubbed at the tip ; mouth 

 with a fleshy proboscis forming a canal, enclosing several lancet- 

 like organs ; tarsi five-jointed ; thorax short and robust ; head 

 distinct and attached to the thorax by a very short and narrow 

 neck ; antenna very variable, inserted in the forehead. 



1. Culicida. Head small; antenna slender, filiform, as 



long as the thorax, plumose in the male; rostrum 

 nearly half the length of the insect, and slightly 

 thickened at the tip ; thorax oblong ; body long and 

 slender, on which the wings lie when at rest ; legs long 

 and slender. 



2. Tipulidte. Headsmall; antennae variable; proboscis very 



short ; palpi longer than the proboscis ; body and legs 

 long and slender. 



3. Stratiomida. Antennae various, of not more than six or 



seven joints, in some species the joints appear fewer in 

 number, and are terminated by a seta or bristle ; mouth 

 mostly rudimental ; wings placed on the body when at 

 rest ; body broad and depressed ; colour prettily varie- 

 gated. Locality, flowers in damp situations. 



