The higher Diptera (Brachycera) fauna of sedge meadows (Cyperaceae, Carex) was studied at the Lac St. Francois National Wildlife Area in southern Quebec. Flies were collected weekly from May to October 1999 using sweeping and pan traps at three sampling sites representing two types of Carex habitat. Over 10,000 specimens, representing 34 families and more than 300 species, were collected. Dolichopodidae, Chloropidae, Sciomyzidae, Syrphidae and Sphaeroceridae were highest in species richness in all sites, and Ephydridae were very high in two of the sites. The above families, along with Phoridae, Chamaemyiidae and Muscidae, were also the most abundant. Overall species composition differed between sites and is apparently influenced by the type of vegetation and substrate. Correspondence analysis was used to investigate the habitat preferences of the 37 most abundant species. The feeding habits and host plants of many Diptera species were newly established by rearing adults from plants infested by larvae.

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