56 THE DIPTERA OF GUERNSEY. 



The ChironomidcB are a large family consisting of small 

 and delicate species. Most of the larvae are aquatic creatures. 

 One well-known example is that of Chironomus plumosus Lin., 

 commonly called the blood-worm from its red colour. It is 

 often to be seen in water butts and tanks of rain water, 

 swimming about with a curious wriggling motion. 



The Psychodidce, or fungus midges, are of small size and 

 somewhat resemble moths, the wings being fringed. 



The Culicidce, or Gnats, are often called " mosquitoes " in 

 this country ; they are small and dull coloured and are often 

 very troublesome, causing much pain and irritation of the skin 

 by their sucking. 



The Tipulidce are familiarly known as Crane flies, or 

 Daddy Long-legs. They fly in swarms in damp grassy fields, 

 especially in the evenings. The commonest species is Tipula 

 oleracea ; it is of a greyish colour with transparent wings. 

 The larvae do a great deal of damage to the roots of corn and 

 grass, and from their habit of living below the surface of the 

 ground, no effectual means have been discovered to get rid of 

 them. 



The Tabanidce, or Gadflies, are very annoying to cattle, 

 especially in hot weather, as the females draw blood from 

 them by means of their large and powerful proboscis. 



The Asilidce, or Hawk flies, are large and powerful 

 insects ; they are carnivorous, feeding on other insects, and 

 will not hesitate to attack insects much larger than themselves. 



One species, Asilus crabroniformis, which is common with 

 us, is very large, and is sometimes called the Hornet fly, from 

 its fancied resemblance to that insect. 



The Bombylidce are called Bee-flies, they being usually 

 densely clothed with hairs. They are exceedingly active 

 insects with long tongues, with which they extract the honey 

 from flowers. 



The Empidae are very ferocious, somewhat like the 

 Asilidce, but usually much smaller. They hunt down and live 

 on other insects. 



The family Dolichopodidce is a very extensive one ; the 

 species are small in size, and usually brilliantly coloured. 



The Syrphidce, or Hovering flies, are well known from 

 their peculiar mode of flight. They will hover in the air 

 almost motionless and dart off with an exceedingly rapid 

 motion, usually returning again and again to the same spot. 

 They are brilliantly-coloured flies, most of them striped or 

 banded with black and yellow. The larvae live in stagnant 

 water, decomposing matter, mud, &c. The perfect insects 



