204 



DIPTEEA OE TRUE FLIES. 



sometimes occurs in hop-cones in swarms. The larvee of the 



Bibionidse (fig. 97, b) are cylindrical or fusciform maggots which 



live in earth, decay- 

 ing stems of plants, 

 and amongst roots 

 of plants. They are 

 mostly, if not all, 

 saprophytic. Closely 

 related to these are 

 the Simulidoe or Sand- 

 flies (fig. 98), which 

 swarm in damp places. 

 The females attack man 

 and animals, drawing 



out the blood. They are one of the forms of mosquitoes.^ The 



larvsB live on the stems of water-plants. 



Pig. 98. — A Sand-fly (Simulmm reptans). 

 A, Ungues and pulviUl of Simulium ; b, of Dilophus. 



Another important family in the Nematocera are the 



Tipulidse or Crane-flies, 



popularly called the Daddy-long-legs. Tipulidse can at once he 

 told by their long slender legs, which so readily fall off. The 

 larvsB are often called " Leather-jackets,'' and are root-feeders ; 

 some also live in decaying wood, and others in water. The 

 pupae are armed with bristles, and are always naked, no 

 puparium being formed. 



The Common Ceane-ply (Tipula oleracea). 



The female Crane-fly is brownish-grey, with a silvery hue, the 

 wings having testaceous veins. The female is provided with a 



' The true mosquitoes are Culioidse, 



