THE IXSECT WORLD. 



Fig. 389. 



undersized, chunky flies, dark in color, with the thorax well 

 developed and somew^hat produced forward so as to partially 

 conceal the small head from above. Though the head is small 

 in proportion to the insect, the mouth parts are exceedingly 

 well developed and furnished 

 with a formidable array of 

 lancets for puncturing and 

 blood-sucking. They belong 

 to the natural family Simu- 

 liidce, and are distinguished, 

 in addition to the peculiari- 

 ties enumerated above, by 

 short, broad wings, in which 

 the venation is almost obso- 

 lete, except along the front 

 margin. 



The larvae are curious little 

 creatures, living under water 

 in rather swiftly flowing 

 streams, clinging to rocks, 

 sticks, or logs, and feeding 

 upon vegetable matter. They 

 are furnished with sucker-like 

 structures at both extremities, 

 by means of which they cling 

 to their resting-place, and move from place to place, breathing 

 by means of tracheal gills. 



In favorable localities these insects may develop in enormous 

 numbers, and, flying in the bright light of mid-day, attack any 

 warm-blooded animal that comes in their way. Such is their 

 number sometimes that they completely cover the animal at- 

 tacked, first rendering it frantic by the pain inflicted and soon 

 after weak from the loss of blood. Eventually death ensues, 

 whether the animal be a man or a mule, unless repellents are 

 employed or a rapid retreat out of the infested territory is 

 accomplished. 



Where the insects breed in shallow streams, the lar\^ae attached 

 to stones, nothing can be done to check development, and the 

 mixture already recommended for mosquitoes — viz., oil of tar, 



BufFalo-gnat. 



