Fishes - Home

Fam. Ceratopogonidae (Biting midges). Adults like Chironomids but
thorax not humped, mouth parts piercing, forelegs not elongate. Larvae
aquatic or terrestrial, no legs. Adults predatory. Some larvae aquatic,
snakelike, transparent, live in surface water of stagnant pools or slow
streams, wriggle rapidly, a tuft of long bristles at tail end. Terrestrial type
live in decaying vegetable matter, under bark cte. caterpillar like, pair of
processes at both ends. Bristly body. Fly hairy winged. About 400-500
species known, less than 100 in India, 3 in Maharashtra, Poona and
Igatpuri.
Sub-order Brachycera
Larval head retractile, pupa exposed with spines. Adult antennae short, 3
segmented, often a terminal style.
Fam. Stratiomyidae. Bristleless, 3rd antennal segment annulated, mid
tibiae with no spurs. Small to rather large, flattened with white, yellow or
green markings. Larvae (Rat tailed maggot) elongate, leathery, flattened.
Live in earth, dung, decaying matter. Some aquatic. Adult sluggish,
frequents grasses in marshes.
About 1,400 species described, Indian species not properly listed, a few
noted round about Bombay. W. argentia. Antennae and legs yellow, thorax
black with golden band, abdomen shining black. L. 3 mm. E. indica. Flat,
black, sparse yellowish or whitish pubescence, abdomen metallic,
yellowish, bronze or cupreous in male, violet or blue in female. L. 9-10
mm. M. flaviventris. Head black, body shining metallic green, yellowish
pubescence in male, abdomen brownish yellow in female. L. 4 mm.
Fam. Tabanidae (Horse or Cattle flies, Clegs, Gad flies. Dan flies). (घोडा) (P डी, नाडत
शांचे टो ग शांचे टो ) (Plate III, Fig. 41).
Troublesome to cattle in India. Body broad, flat, head large, eyes large
touching each other in males, often spotted or striped, antennae clear,
FAUNA 447