This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ...feeding-grounds." Various species of this genus live in potatoes and other vegetables, while the serious injury to potatoes called "scab" is caused by a fungus-gnat known as Epidapus scabies. With larger and more robust bodies and relatively shorter and thicker antennae, the March-flies, Bibionidae, ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ...feeding-grounds." Various species of this genus live in potatoes and other vegetables, while the serious injury to potatoes called "scab" is caused by a fungus-gnat known as Epidapus scabies. With larger and more robust bodies and relatively shorter and thicker antennae, the March-flies, Bibionidae, serve as a sort of transition family between the long-legged, slender-bodied midge type of fly with its thread-like hairy antennae, and the compact, heavy-bodied, short-legged type of fly with short and club-like three-segmented antennae, characteristic of the many families grouped in the section Brachycera. The March-flies (Fig. 454) are from one-eighth to one-half inch long, with fairly robust, often hairy, body, blackish or blacK and red, strong legs, large clear or smoky wings, and stout antennae about as long as head and thorax together and composed of nine to twelve segments. They may be seen often in large numbers flying heavily over gardens and fields or in woods, early in the spring. The eggs are laid in the soil or in decaying vegetation or in sewers and excrement, the larvae feeding usually on decomposing substances. With some species, however, the larva? feed on the roots of grains or grasses and in this way may do serious damage. Bibio iristis, discovered in Kansas in i89i, appeared in great numbers in wheat-fields and frightened many wheat-growers. As a matter of fact, little injury seemed to be done. B. jemorata, a common species, is deep red with black wings; B. albipennis, another abundant and widespread one, is black-bodied with white wings. A common Californian species appears from the ground in damp woods in great numbers in March. I have watched these flies issuing in countless numbers from the soft rich...
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