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.