CHinONOMIDM 



80 i 



Chapter XXXV.). Loew suspects some of them' {Hcsmogogus ?) as possible 

 carriers of Filaria (especially F. perstans) . 



The eggs are laid in rafts, and the larvae have respiratory siphons. A 

 number of genera are described by Theobald, whose work shouM be consulted 

 if further information is desired. 



LiMATiN^ Theobald. 



Definition. — Culicidae with elbow- 

 bent proboscis and squamae on post- 

 scuteilum. Palpi short in both sexes. 

 First fork cell longer than second. 



Genus. — Limatus. 



Family Corethrid^ 

 Eysell, 1905. 



Definition. — Orthorrhapha ne- 

 mocera with short proboscis not 

 formed for piercing, without 

 scales in the adult condition, 

 with transparent larvae rather 

 resembling those of Chiro- 

 nomus. 



Remarks. — The only reason 

 why this family, which includes 

 the genera Corethra and Mo- 

 chlonyx, is mentioned here is that 



[Fig. 401. — Head and Scutellum 

 of i^^des, to show scales. 



(After Theobald, ' Culicidae of 

 the World.') ~ 



it has only recently been 

 separated from the Culicidae, of which it formed a subfamily — 

 Culicimorphae. 



Family Chironomid^. 



Synonyms. — TipularicB culiformis, Culicites Newman, TipiladcB 

 Leach, Chironomii Zelt, Chironomince Rondani. 



Definition. — Orthorrhapha nematocera with head small, often 

 retracted under and covered by the thorax. Ocelli absent. No 

 transverse suture on thorax; eyes reniform. Antennae from six to 

 fifteen joints; pectinate in male, simple and composed of fewer 

 joints in female. Wings without veins along the posterior margin; 

 costal vein ending near the tip of the wing. 



Remarks. — The Chironomidae include over 800 species of very 

 delicate and often quite minute flies, popularly called ' midges,' 

 which are found all over the world, especially near water. 



Kieffer classifies the family into three subfamilies, as follows: — 



A. Media and cubitus united by a cross vein — TanypincB. 



B. Media and cubitus united only at the base. 



I. Thorax humped over the head — Chironomince. 

 II. Thorax not humped over the head — Ceratopogonince. 



Of these three subfamilies only the last concerns us. 



