| Ocyptamus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ocyptamus cf. fuscipennis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Syrphidae |
| Tribe: | Syrphini |
| Genus: | Ocyptamus Macquart, 1834 |
Ocyptamus is a large and diverse genus of over 200 species of hoverfly mostly found in the Neotropical region. [1] [2] It is likely that many of these species will be discovered to be synonyms though many others await description.
There is evidence that the genus is not monophyletic [3] [4] and is paraphyletic with regard to Eosalpingogaster and Toxomerus , and some subgenera have been given full generic status ( Hybobathus , Pelecinobaccha , Orphnabaccha , and Pseudoscaeva ). [5]
Subgenus:Ocyptamus Macquart, 1834
Subgenus:HermesomyiaVockeroth, 1969
Subgenus:PipunculosyrphusHull, 1937
Subgenus:MimocallaHull, 1943
Subgenus:StyxiaHull, 1943
Subgenus:CalostigmaShannon, 1927
Subgenus:AtylobacchaHull, 1949
 |
In 2020, five new genera were proposed for "orphaned" lineages within Ocyptamus, containing these species. The new genera are sometimes used for these species. [6]
GenusFragosa
GenusHypocritanus
GenusMaiana
GenusNuntianus
GenusVictoriana
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.
Platycheirus is a large genus of hoverflies. They are also called sedgesitters.
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.
Chymophila is a subgenus of the hoverfly genus Microdon. It was previously considered to be exclusively Neotropical, but is now also known from the Nearctic and Oriental realms, and one species is known from Japan. Chymophila was based on a composite type species: the holotype is a body of C. fulgens with the head of a conopid glued on.
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.
The Milesiini is a large and diverse tribe of hoverflies. They mimic wasps or hornets.
The Syrphini are a tribe of 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:
Meromacrus is a genus of 43 neotropical and nearctic flower flies or hoverflies
Pelecinobaccha 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.
Pseudoscaeva 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.
Orphnabaccha is a genus of hoverflies in the Neotropical region, formerly included in the genus Ocyptamus, which was split after researchers determined it was not monophyletic.
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.
Sterphus is a genus of hoverflies.
Fazia is a genus of hoverflies, formerly treated as a subgenus of Allograpta, but now treated as a genus, though not monophyletic as presently defined.
For many photographic examples: https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=ocyptamus&w=all