Eristalis is a large genus of hoverflies, family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera. Several species are known as drone flies because they bear a resemblance to honeybee drones.
The subfamily Microdontinae contains slightly more than 400 species of hoverflies and, while diverse, these species share several characteristics by which they differ from other syrphids. The Microdontinae are myrmecophiles, meaning they live in the nests of ants. Larval Microdontinae are scavengers or predators in ant nests, and, in contrast to other syrphid larvae, have no readily apparent body segmentation. Some species also do not exhibit the typical adult flower-visiting behaviour of other hoverflies, but instead remain near their larval host colonies.
Hover flies of the genus Microdon are unusual among the Diptera. Like other members of the subfamily, they are myrmecophiles, meaning they inhabit the nests of ants.
Eristalinus is a genus of hoverfly. Most species have very distinctive eye marking in the form of spots or banding, though these features may fade on some preserved specimens. Most are stout flies, and are nimble flyers, even compared to other hoverfly species.
Kertesziomyia is a genus of 14 Hoverflies, from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera.
Archimicrodon is a genus of hoverflies. Many of the species in this genus were moved from Microdon by Reemer & Ståhls (2013). Previously, it had been described as having three known species.
Mixogaster is a genus of hoverflies native to North America and South America, with 21 known species. Mixogaster is distinct by lacking an appendix on vein R4+5, having a reduced and bare metasternum, an unarmed scutellum, and usually an appendix on vein M extending in cell R4+5. Larvae are found in ant nests.
Paramixogaster is a genus of hoverflies, with 25 known species. Paramixogaster has an appendix on vein R4+5 that is absent in Mixogaster.
Spheginobaccha is a genus of hoverflies, with 15 known species. The genus is readily separated from other microdons by the incomplete metathoracic bridge, round/oval basoflagellomere, occiput with a dorsolateral crease, and other characters.
Digulia is a monotypic genus of hoverfly from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera. The single species, D. kochi, is found in New Guinea.
Dissoptera is a genus of hoverfly, insects in the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera. It consists of seven species distributed through the Australasian and Oriental regions.
Keda is a monotypic genus of hoverfly from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera.
Lycastrirhyncha is a genus of 5 neotropical flower flies or hoverflies.
Palpada is a genus of 85 neotropical and nearctic flower flies or hoverflies This genus is often colorful and bee-like. It is in the tribe Eristaliini containing dozens of genera Common sister genera include Eristalis (99 species), Meromacrus (43 sp.), Eristalinus (100 sp.) and Helophilus (50 sp.). The genus palpada is distinguished by:
Phytomia is a genus of at least 27 species of hoverfly from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera found in tropical Africa and Asia.
Senaspis is a genus of 14 species of Afrotropical hoverfly from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera.
Simoides is a genus of 7 species of Afrotropical hoverfly from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera.
Meromacroides is a monotypic genus of Afrotropical hoverfly from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera.
Metadon is a genus of hoverfly containing 43 species. Most of the species were originally described in the genus Microdon.
