| Pseudovolucella | |
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| Genus: | Pseudovolucella Shiraki, 1930 |
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| Pseudovolucella mimica Shiraki, 1930 | |
Pseudovolucella is a genus of hoverflies, from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera. They are bee mimics found mostly in the mountains of south east Asia. [1]
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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 identifiction by photographs is risky.
Eumerus is a genus of hoverflies, within the tribe Eumerini.
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
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.
These are small black and yellow or mostly black flies with a narrow abdomen near the thorax. They occur mainly in damp places among low herbage. The larva of Neosascia are flattened without oral hooks and a have a short posterior spiracular process or "tail" rat-tailed that is saprophagous. In 1925 Curran reviewed the genus Neoascia. In this work a key is provided and ten species are described including four new species some of which have later been determined to be synonyms.
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.
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.
Parocyptamus is a genus of hoverflies, with two known species. The critical characteristic is the narrow, elongated abdomen.
Pseudomicrodon is a genus of hoverflies, with 14 known species. All are species with petiolate abdomens.
Sericomyiini is a tribe of hoverflies consisting mainly of large bumblebee or wasp mimics. As with Eristalini the larvae have a telescopic breathing tube which allows them to breathe while submerged in boggy areas.
The Milesiini is a large and diverse tribe of hoverflies. They mimic wasps or hornets.
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.
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.
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:
Peradon is a genus of hoverfly from the Neotropical realm, containing 31 species. Many of the species were originally described in the genus Microdon.
Sterphus is a genus of hoverflies.
Asiosphegina is a subgenus of hoverflies characterized by sternite I being narrow and lanceolate, several times longer than wide or membranous, and non-pilose, as well as the postmetacoxal bridge being broad, it's posterior margin almost straight, at most with small triangular medial incision.
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