Xylota is a Holarctic genus of hoverflies similar in structure to the related genera Chalcosyrphus and Brachypalpoides. As the larvae are saprophytic they're usually found in rotting wood. The adult flies are generally associated with woodland and woodland edges and can often be seen running over the upper sides of leaves. Unlike other syrphids the adults of many species rarely visit flowers preferring instead to gather pollen from leaf surfaces. There are over 100 described species of which 12 can be found in Europe. Seven species have been recorded in Britain. Identification of species has been difficult and identifiction by photographs is risky.
Sphegina is a genus of small, slender hoverflies. They are widespread throughout Eurasia and North America. In flight they seem to have long hind legs which they often carry hanging down, making them resemble sphecid or ichneumonid wasps. Adult Sphegina are usually found in damp and shady habitats close to water in forested areas, and several species can often be found together. They often feed on white and yellow flowers of Apiaceae, Ranunculaceae, Asteraceae, and Rosaceae like Crataegus, Sorbus, and Sorbaria. Larvae nest in the sap of living and dead trees or in decaying cambium under tree bark lying in water or other damp conditions. The larvae of some species have been discovered in the tunnels of other xylophagous insects.
Sphegina (Asiosphegina) brevipilus is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae found in China. It's similar to both S. (A.) plautus and S. (A.) simplex; it and S. (A.) plautus are the only known species with a sclerite between the bases of surstyli as well as posteriorly from the cerci.
Sphegina crinita is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae found in Malaysia and Indonesia. It's easily identified by its superior lobes, the left side one being pushed over the medial line of the hypandrium to the right side so that the right side one seems bilobed. Otherwise, the genitalia are nearly identical to those in S. fimbriata.
Sphegina crassispina is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae found in Kambaiti Pass, Myanmar, a montane forest with swampy areas and streams located 2000 meters above sea level. A specimen was found in China that fits the description of S. crassispina save for the more extensively shiny frons and the slightly more protruding frontal prominence.
Sphegina forficata is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina furva is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina gigas is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina index is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina malaisei is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina nasuta is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina pollex is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina pusilla is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina radula is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina siculifera is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina trichaeta is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina simplex is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina (Asiosphegina) amamiensis is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae found in Japan. It is easily identified by the wide bifid lobe on the male sternum IV which is located on the right side; in most other species it is located on the left.
Sphegina kumaoniensis is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae found in India, Thailand, and northeast Myanmar. It's characterized by a convex dorsal line of frontal prominence that ends clearly before the ocellar triangle as well as a mouthedge less strongly projecting, vibrissal angle less protruding or equal with the frontal prominence.
Sphegina orientalis is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
