REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION, 53 1 



the water. A score might occur on a piece of board within an area of a few square 

 inches and as they flew only when disturbed, most of them easily could be collected 

 in a cyanid bottle. The various stages of this interesting form are represented in 

 figures 5-8 on plate i. 



Scioniyzidce. Two interesting swale flies, Sepedon fiiscipcnnis Loew. and Tetan- 

 occra pictipcs Loew. were reared in large numbers. The former was quite common 

 at Saranac Inn, in Little Clear Creek, in places where the creek flowed through 

 beds of bur-reed, Sparganiiiin, intermixed below the surface of the water with river 

 weed, Potainogeton and Algae. The adults sit on the foliage with wings laid back, 

 and they fly rarely and rather poorly. The larvae when undisturbed lie commonly 

 at the surface of the water, amid a tangle of vegetation. The various stages are 

 represented at figures 1-5, 7 and 8 on plate 7. The puparium of this fly is remark- 

 able for its resemblance to a floating seed, which was not uncommon in the creek. 

 Compare figures 4 and 6 on plate 8, and though the enlargement has destroyed 

 much of the resemblance, there is still considerable in common between the two. 

 A single parasite was bred, which has been described by Mr. Ashmead as Atractodes 

 sepcdontis. The adults of Tetanocera pictipes Loew. are found in the same bur-reed 

 beds, but they habitually rest on the leaves near the surface of the water, and are, 

 therefore, seldom seen. The larvae, pupae and images were common at Saranac Inn, 

 associated in all stages with Sepedon fuscipennis. They are represented in figures 

 9-14 on plate 7. 



The preceding account has been prepared for the purpose of emphasizing the 

 value of our aquatic insects as food for fish and also to call attention to the impor- 

 tant position this group occupies in nature. The numerous illustrations should 

 render easy the identification of some of the more important forms. Considerable 

 space has been given purposely to the habits of these insects because of the great 

 value of such data to the student of nature. The study of the life history and the 

 habits of any species is one of the most natural introductions to extended research. 

 This broad and largely unoccupied field affords abundant opportunities to every 

 lover of nature, and as the Saranac region is a well-known health and pleasure 

 resort, it is expected that many students who spend a portion of their vacation in 

 that section will doubtless be very ready to aid as far as opportunity permits in 

 extending these investigations. 



