Syrphidae

Cheilosiini

The Cheilosiini are a small but distinctive tribe of hoverflies within the subfamily Eristalinae, best known for their wasp-like or sombre, non-typical syrphid appearance and their association with fungal habitats. Unlike the brightly marked flower-visiting hoverflies familiar to most observers, members of this tribe are generally dark, slender, and unobtrusive, often resembling solitary wasps or small empidid flies rather than typical syrphids.

Eristalini

Loop in r4+5 vein in Eristalini genus hoverfly

A large tribe of hoverflies, family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera. The tribe has two types of body shape 'wasp-like' and 'bee-like' . The genus is most easily recognised by the strong loop in the wing vein R4+5.

NOTE: In the wasp like species in the genus Helophilus, Parhelophilus, Anasimyia, and Lejops the eyes of the males do not meet.

Merodon

Merodon equestris, hoverfly, mimic bee, Syrphidae

 

This is a large genus of bee mimicking hoverflies. There are about 50 European species mostly centred in the Mediterranean region. However, the variable Narcissus-fly (Merodon equestris) is the only species resident in Britain.

Pipizini

This is a tribe of small to medium sized black hoverflies with usually a pair of spots on tergite 2, and very ocassionally on tergite 3. Also the face is flat and is coverered in long downwards facing hairs.

 

Separation into genre depends on wing venation.

 

 

Syrphidae

Sphaerophoria scripta

 

Flies in the family Syrphidae. They are often seen hovering or sipping nectar at flowers; the adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae eat a wide range of foods.

 

 

Subscribe to Syrphidae