Melanostoma

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Melanostoma
Hoverfly February 2009-1.jpg
Melanostoma scalare female
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Tribe: Bacchini
Genus: Melanostoma
Schiner, 1860
Type species
Musca millina [1]
Melanostoma sp., oviposition

Melanostoma is a large genus of hoverflies. [2] Little is known of their biology, but they are suspected to be general predators of small insects in leaf litter. [3] [4]

Species [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Paragus</i> Genus of flies

Paragus is a genus of hoverflies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microdontinae</span> Subfamily of flies

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.

<i>Microdon</i> Genus of flies

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.

<i>Mallota</i> Genus of flies

Mallota is a widely distributed Holarctic genus of hoverfly, well known for their bee-like appearance.

<i>Syritta</i> Genus of hoverflies

Syritta is a genus of hoverflies, family Syrphidae.

<i>Rhingia</i> Genus of flies

Rhingia is a genus of hoverflies. They all have a very distinctive long snout. The larvae are associated with animal dung. Adults feed on nectar and pollen.

<i>Xylota</i> Genus of flies

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.

<i>Cheilosia</i> Genus of insects

Cheilosia is a genus of hoverfly. Most Cheilosia are black or largely un-coloured, lacking the bright colours and patterns of many hoverfly species. It is one of the most species diverse genera of hoverflies. The biology of many species is little understood, but where known, the larvae of Cheilosia species feed in the stems of plants or in fungi.

<i>Eumerus</i> Genus of flies

Eumerus is a genus of hoverflies, within the tribe Eumerini.

<i>Temnostoma</i> Genus of flies

Temnostoma is a genus of hoverflies. The larvae of some species feed on the wood of deciduous trees.

<i>Platycheirus</i> Genus of flies

Platycheirus is a large genus of hoverflies. They are also called sedgesitters.

<i>Criorhina</i> Genus of flies

Criorhina is a genus of hoverflies. Medium to large sized species, black or greenish black, with or without light ground markings mimicking bumblebees. The head is much flattened and broader than the thorax. The antennae are situated upon a prominent conical frontal process, The face is moderately produced below the eyes, downward or forward, in profile. The eyes are bare. The abdomen is elliptical or very short oval. Larvae found in rot holes or decaying hardwoods

<i>Chalcosyrphus</i> Genus of flies

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.

<i>Episyrphus</i> Genus of flies

Episyrphus is a genus of hoverflies in the subfamily Syrphinae. Larvae are predatory, often on aphids.

<i>Milesia</i> (fly) Genus of flies


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.

<i>Ocyptamus</i> Genus of flies

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.

<i>Graptomyza</i> Genus of flies

Graptomyza is a genus of hoverflies.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Smith, Kenneth G.V.; Vockeroth, J.R. (1980). Crosskey, R.W. (ed.). Catalogue of the Diptera of the Afrotropical Region. London: British museum (Natural History). pp. 1–1436. ISBN   0565-00821-8.
  2. Stubbs, Alan E.; Falk, Steven J (1983). British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide (2nd ed.). London: British Entomological and Natural History Society. pp. 253, xvpp. ISBN   1-899935-03-7.
  3. Ball, S.G.; Morris, R.K.A. (2000). Provisional atlas of British hoverflies (Diptera, Syrphidae). Monks Wood, UK: Biological Record Centre. pp. 167 pages. ISBN   1-870393-54-6.
  4. Van Veen, M.P. (2004). Hoverflies of Northwest Europe, Identification Keys to the Syrphidae (Hardback). Utrecht: KNNV Publishing. p. 254. ISBN   90-5011-199-8.
  5. "Melanostoma". Encyclopedia of Life, available from http://eol.org/pages/25610/entries/33710029/overview. Accessed on 25 January 2012