EIIAMP1IOMTIA. 345 



G-enus RHAMPHOMYIA, Mg. 



Macrostomus, Wiedemann, Zool. Mag. i, p. 59 (1817). 

 Rhamphomyia, Meigen, Syst. Bescli. iii, p. 32 (1822). 

 Enicopteryx, Stephens, Syst. Cat. Brit. Ins. ii, p. 264 (1829), 

 Rhamphomyza, Zetterstedt, Ins. Lapp. p. 562 (1838). 

 Holoclera, Schiner, Wien. Eut. Monats. iv, p. 53 (1860). 



Genotype, Empis sulcata, Mg. (Europe) ; by Curtis's designa- 

 tion. 



This genus differs from Empis mainly in the 3rd longitudinal 

 vein being simple. The eyes are proportionately rather larger, and, 

 in the case of contiguous eyes, the larger and smaller facets are 

 more sharply demarcated. The legs, equally as in Empis, show 

 specific diversity in adornment. Wings sometimes considerably 

 dilated ; 3rd vein simple ; discal cell sometimes very large and 

 extended nearly to wing-margin. 



Range. World-wide. 



Life-history. Beliug has described the early stages of some 

 European species. The larva is carnivorous, and hibernates, 

 changing to the pupa in the following spring or autumn. Rham- 

 phomyia is generally distributed in the same localities frequented 

 by Empis, some species hovering in the air or just above water. 



It is mainly a temperate zone genus, the Palasarctic and North 

 American species being very numerous. 



Attempts have been made to arrange the species into definite 

 groups, but without much success. 



Table of Specks. 



Thorax bright brownish yellow; an oval 



black spot on anterior part unifasciata, Brim., p. 345. 



Thorax grey. 



Hind femora with short thick hairs 



above and dark brown scales below, himalayana, Brum, p. 346. 

 Hind femora apparently with only 

 microscopic pubescence griseonigra, Brim., p. 346. 



279. Rhamphomyia unifasciata, Brim. 



Rhamphomyia unifasciata, Brunetti, B,ec. Ind. Mus. ix, p. 29 

 (1913). 



d . Head placed on a neck of moderate length, blackish. The 

 1st and 2nd antennal joints rounded, a little broader at the tips, 

 3rd as long as 1st and 2nd together, elongate-oval ; arista 

 placed at the extreme tip of the dorsal side. Thorax bright 

 brownish yellow ; an oval black spot on anterior part of dorsum, 

 drawn out to a point on anterior margin ; sometimes not narrowed 

 in front but diminished in intensity, and in some cases extended 

 posteriorly towards the hind margin ; traces of two narrow lines 

 from the hinder corners of the spot towards posterior margin, 



