FLIES-DIPTERA

Charles E. Griswold

Flies were collected generally using hand held aerial nets sweep nets ,and stationary flight (malaise) traps. Perhaps 100 specimens were collected. An effort was made to collect three target groups for immediate study. Acroceridae (‘small headed flies’ are a primitive group of brachyceran flies that are worldwide in distribution but rare in collections. As larvae they are obligate endoparasites of spiders. Blepharoceridae (‘net winged midges’) are delicate nematocera whose larvae cling to rock faces in fast moving streams and waterfalls. Therevidae (‘stiletto flies’) are fast flying higher Brachycera most characteristic of arid regions. Unfortunately, no individuals of these families were collected.