592 
DIPT ERA. 
appear to be not unlike those of Tabanidce, the eggs being laid on plants 
overhanging water or in damp woody places. The predaceous larvae 
are aquatic or live in decaying wood or moist earth and moss. One 
species is known to make a pit like an ant-lion and catch food in the same 
way. The larvae of Xylophagince sometimes have the head and anterior 
part horny and drawn out to a point at the end of which is the mouth. 
The family comprises two or three hundred widely distributed species, 
and is divided as follows, the Leptince containing most species. The 
Xylophagince often have a considerable resemblance to Hymenoptera. 
(a) Antennae not long, 3rd joint apparently unseg¬ 
mented, with a style or arista .. Leptince. 
(b) Antennae longer, 3rd joint complex. 
(1) All the tibiae spurred .. .. Xylophagince. 
(2) Front tibiae without spurs.. .. Arthroceratince. 
Tabanid^. 
Bans--flies, Gad-flies, “ clegs.” Body usually rather broad and flat. Head 
large, broad and flat, the eyes large, touching in the male; often with 
coloured spots or stripes. Antennce projecting, 3rd joint made up of 
several segments. Proboscis strong, pointing downwards, sometimes 
(. Pangonia) very long and horizontal. No bristles on the body. 
Squamce well developed. Wings fairly large, the costa extending all 
round, when at rest held separated (except Hcematopota) not folded 
flat over one another. 
Dans-flies are easily squashable, generally fairly large flies, at least 
as big as a bluebottle, and often bigger. They are well known from 
the blood-sucking habits of the 
females, and are in some districts 
a constant source of annoyance 
to horses, cattle, men, and other 
animals. Their bite is severe, but 
generally does not result in so 
much swelling and subsequent 
irritation as does that of the mos¬ 
quito; sometimes, however, this 
is by no means the case, and very 
considerable discomfort may be 
experienced. It is probable that 
Fig. 385— Mouth pa rts of Female. 
Tabanus . (After Hine .) 
mxp Palpus 
mx Maxilla 
mn Mandible 
hpx Hypo pharynx 
Ihr La brum 
