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.
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 identification by photographs is risky.
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.
Ceriana is a genus of hoverfly. All species are wasp mimics.
Blera is primarily a North American genus, though there are 3 species from Europe. The genus is characterized by the following characters:
Chalcosyrphus is a genus of hoverflies in the subfamily Eristalinae. Many species exhibit some degree of mimicry of various sawflies and other hymenopterans and are often brightly coloured or metallic in hue. The adults are similar in structure and behavior to the related genus Xylota but differ in larval morphology. They can be found throughout Europe, Asia, and North America and seem to prefer damper, boggy habitats. The larvae are saproxylic feeders in rotten wood in these habitats.
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.
Austalis is a genus of 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.
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.
Paramixogaster is a genus of hoverflies, with fewer than 30 known species. Paramixogaster has an appendix on vein R4+5 that is absent in Mixogaster.
Monoceromyia is a genus of hoverfly. Species in the genus are found in the Afrotropical, Australasian, Neotropical and Oriental regions. They are mimics of wasps and the genus is distinguished by the metapleura being widely separate behind the hind coxae. The elongated frontal base of the antenna is at least as long as the basal segment of the antenna and the second abdominal tergum is longer than wide and constricted.
Milesia is a genus of very large hoverflies, which mimic social wasps. For example, the European species Milesia crabroniformis is a convincing mimic of the hornet species Vespa crabro. Milesia are predominantly Palaeotropical in distribution almost entirely Oriental.
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.
Citrogramma is a genus of hoverfly.
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:
Graptomyza is a genus of hoverflies.
Metadon is a genus of hoverfly containing 43 species. Most of the species were originally described in the genus Microdon.
Matsumyia is a genus of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
