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.
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.
Aristosyrphus is a genus of Neotropical hoverflies.
Ceratophya is a genus of hoverflies, with five known species. They are distinct from Microdon by the presence of an appendix on vein R4+5. Many species have erroneously been placed in this genus. Some authors place Ceratophya as a subgenus of Microdon.
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.
Omegasyrphus is a genus of hoverflies, with five known species. These are small Microdontinae flies with a distinctive abdominal shape; the second segment is widened, flattened, and flared, with its lateral margin subcircular, thickened, and rounded, and the rest of abdomen narrowed and cylindrical. Larvae are found in ant nests. They are native to southern North America. The genus was previously treated as a subgenus of Microdon.
Paramicrodon is a genus of hoverflies, with eight known species. They differ from Microdon by their short antennae and the lack of appendices on vein R4+5.
Pseudomicrodon is a genus of hoverflies, with 14 known species. All are species with petiolate abdomens.
Rhoga is a genus of hoverflies, with five known species. All are small, delicate, pale yellowish flies, with distinct black pilose brushes on their metatibiae. These flies are probably mimics of stingless bees of the tribe Meliponini.
Rhopalosyrphus is a genus of hoverflies, with nine known species. The adults flies mimic wasps, such as Zethus. The larvae are predators of ant brood. They are native to from southern United States to northern Argentina.
Syrphipogon is a subgenus of the hoverfly genus Microdon. There are two known species. They are very large microdontine flies of about 25 mm. They have a deeply sulcate scutellum and a facial mystax. They are mimics of the large bees of the genus Eulaema.
Ocyptamus is a large and diverse genus of over 200 species of hoverfly mostly found in the Neotropical region. It is likely that many of these species will be discovered to be synonyms though many others await description.
Meromacrus is a genus of 43 neotropical and nearctic flower flies or hoverflies
Peradon is a genus of hoverfly from the Neotropical realm, containing 31 species. Many of the species were originally described in the genus Microdon.
Metadon is a genus of hoverfly containing 43 species. Most of the species were originally described in the genus Microdon.
Hybobathus is a genus of hoverfly in the Neotropical region, formerly included in the genus Ocyptamus, which was split after researchers determined it was not monophyletic.
Total of 245 species either found or highly expected to be found in New York.
