388 



LONCHOPTERIDilO 



segment the longest ; bristles present but no pubescence ; genitalia 

 in S prominent, closely applied to the venter, with two lamellae. 



Legs rather long, with fine bristles; pulvilli very small, empodia 

 absent. 



Wings comparatively long, tip pointed ; venation abnormal ; 

 auxiliary and 1st longitudinal veins very short ; 2nd and 3rd 

 veins ending near together towards wing-tip; 4th and 5th united 

 for a cons4derable distance ; 4th vein forked ; 6th vein sexually 

 abnormal; anterior cross-vein very near base of wing, oblique; 

 discal cell therefore very long and open (or may be regarded as 

 absent) ; the two basal cells and the anal cell all very short, sub- 

 equal ; alulae absent; squamae very small. 



Fig. 37. — Lonchoptera lutea, Panz. 



Life-history . The larvae possess a head and ten body-segments,, 

 the last one possibly formed of two segments anastomosed; they 

 live in decomposing vegetable matter ; metamorphoses unknown. 

 The perfect insects occur on leaves and low bushes, in grass, and 

 near streams. 



The affinities of this family have been questioned, but they seem 

 best placed near the Dolichopodim:. Only one genus, Lonclio- 

 plera, is known. Cadrema, Walk., with one species from Celebes 

 is doubtfully referred to this family. 



Genus LONCHOPTERA, Mg. 



Lonchoptera, Meigen, Illij?. Mag. ii, p. 272 (1803). 



Dipsa, Fallen, Specim. entomnl. p. 20 (1810) ; Dipt. Suec. Phvtom, 



p. 1 (1823 J. 

 Lonchopteryx. Stephens, Syst. Cat. Brit, Ins. p. 259 (1829). 



Gexotvpe, Lonchoptera lutea, Panz. (Europe) ; by Curtis's 

 designation (1839). 



The family characters apply wholly to this genus. The venation 

 possesses the striking character, which is unique throughout the- 



