REMARKS ON COLLECTING DIPTERA.
87
A considerable number of species are recorded as British, but few
appear to be common (Cecidomyia).
Mycetophilidae.—A large number of species have been de-
scribed as British. Delicate, small flies ; legs usually long and spiny.
More or less allied to the Cecidomyidae (Mycetophila).
Bibionidae.—Chiefly vernal. A well-marked group of about
forty species readily recognised. The males hover together in the
air (Bibio; Scatopse).
Simuudae.—Two species are British, until recently included in
the Bibionidae (Simulium).
Chironomidae.—About 200 species are British. They are difficult
of identification, being very closely allied. Common in nearly every
locality (Chironomus ; Ceratopogon).
Orphnephilidae,—The single species is rather rare (Orphnephila
testacea).
Psychodidae.—Several species are indigenous. Small, moth-
like flies, with fringed, hairy wings (Psychoda ; Pericoma).
Culicidae.—The Gnat family. Widely distributed; species
more or less allied, and tolerably common ; they are popularly
known as "mosquitoes." The larvae are aquatic (Culex).
Dixidae.—Only one genus, Dixa (four species), allied to the
Tipulidae.
Tipulidae.—Mr. Verrall divides this into three groups, ranking
each as a family, viz..—Ptychopteridae, Limnobidae, and Tipulidae,
named after the three most representative genera, Ptychoptera,
Limnobia, and Tipula. They are usually called "Daddy-long-
legs "; they are large, delicate flies, with long, spider-like legs,
and attenuated bodies. Mr. Verrall has written an excellent
paper on the British species (see "Entomologists' Monthly Maga-
zine," vols, xxiii. and xxiv.).
Rhyphidae.—Two species of Rhyphus are recorded ; allied to
the Tipulidae.
Stratiomyidae.—About forty species are British; some are
aquatic. Sargus cuprarius, Nemotelus uliginosus, Microchrysa polita,
Beris vallata, and Odontomyia viridula are all common species.
Xylophagidae.—Wood-feeders in the larval stage. Very rare.
Four of the seven European species are British (Xylophagus.)
Tabanidae.—Large, powerful flies, the females attacking cattle.
Chiefly found in New Forest. Haematopota pluvialis is the com-
monest species (Tabanus; Chrysops).