576 
PIPTERA. 
Dixidj:. 
Flies having the general appearance of Mosquitos, hut with 
different venation (PI. LIX). 
As in the case of the Simuliidce and Orphnephilidce . the members of 
this family are very widely distributed, but all belong to one genus, in 
this case Dixa. They may be regarded as forming a connecting link 
between the Mosquitos (Culicids) and the Daddy-long-legs (Tipulids). 
The larvae live in still or running water. They are of no economic 
importance. None are as yet recorded from India, but we have 
found larvae in a hill-stream at Simla in company with Simuliid 
larvae. 
BLKPfcURoCKKIPJS. 
Small gnat-like hare flies, the wings often iridescent with a secondary set 
of creases in addition to the ordinary venation which is variable. 
There is no discal cell. The eyes usually separate and divided into 
two distinct halves, upper and lower. 
These curious little flies are found in hilly or mountainous regions, 
since here alone are found the swift clear streams in which the larvae and 
pupae live. The eggs are unknown. The 
larvae are remarkably adapted to life in 
shallow quick running water, being much 
flattened and provided with suckers, 
which enable them to cling like limpets to 
rocks and stones over which the water 
flows. The pupae, of a shape similar to 
that of the larvae, are also as a rule 
entirely submerged, and here we see the 
reason for the curious creasing of the 
adult fly’s wings. The fly emerges from 
the pupa under water ; anchored to the 
pupa skin by its long hind legs it 
reaches up until its body is at the surface, 
and then after a second or two in 
this dangerous position it spreads its wings and flies away. In 
Fig. 372— A BRAZILIAN BLEPHA- 
ROCERID LARVA (AFTER MUL- 
LER) ENLARGED. 
