Systematic Course. 48 
Diptera are usually classified into the groups Pupipara, Brachycera, 
Nemocera and Aphaniptera, 
(2) Pupipara.—Antennz small or rudimentary. Flattened spider- 
like insects, many of them wingless. The young are said 
not to be brought forth until they have reached the 
pupal stage. 
£.g., Hippoboscida. 
(2) Brachycera.—Anteune short, usually composed of not more 
than about four joints, mostly stout, thick-set winged 
insects. 
Eg., Asilide, Tabanide, (stride, and Muscide. 
(ce) Nemocera,—Antenne long and many jointed. Slender, 
winged insects. 
E.g., Culicide and Cecidomyide. 
(2) Aphaniptera.—Degraded, wingless, laterally compressed in- 
sects, with short antenna and distinctly separated thoracic 
rings. 
E.g., Pulicide, 
Hippoboscide.—About the commonest representative of this family 
in India is the horse-louse. Thisis the well-known flattened insect 
which looks very much like a winged spider and is exceedingly difficult 
to kill, It is often most annoying to horses, upon which it settles to 
suck blood. Allied species are parasitic upon birds and other animals, 
Asilida (Robber-flies)—These flies can be recognised by their elon- 
gated hairy bodies and powerful claws. In the winged stage they 
are rapacious in their habits and devour great numbers of other 
insects. Little is known of the larval stages of the species which 
inhabit India, but they are likely to be white legless grubs which feed 
upon vegetable matter. The School Musuem contains specimens for 
examination by the students. 
Tabanide (Gad-flies).—These well-known insects can be recognised by 
the characteristic shape of the head, and the structure of the terminal 
joint of the antenne, which is annulate and without an appended 
bristle. In the female the mouth parts, especially the mandibles, are 
much developed, and the insect is able to inflict a formidable bite. 
The female sucks blood, while the male takes little or no nourishment 
after it reaches the winged stage of its existence. Little is known 
about the Jarve of the Indian species, but they are likely to be very 
variable in their habits. The School Musuem contains specimens for 
examination by the students. 
Gistride.—These flies are mostly bright-coloured hairy creatures, with 
radimentary méuth parts and minute antenne. The larve of the 
