Merodontini

Edwards, 1915

Genus Guides

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Merodontini is a tribe of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) within the Eristalinae. The tribe includes such as Merodon, Eumerus, and Psilota. Larvae of Merodon and Eumerus tunnel into plant bulbs, while Psilota larvae have been found in sap runs. Some , particularly Eumerus strigatus, are phytophagous and pose potential risks to agricultural crops such as onion (Allium cepa). The tribe has been recorded across multiple continents including the Palaearctic, Afrotropical, and Neotropical regions, with new species and distribution records continuing to be documented.

Psilota by (c) Steve Kerr, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Kerr. Used under a CC-BY license.Eumerus funeralis by (c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Eumerus by (c) Even Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Even Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Merodontini: /ˌmɛrəˈdɒntɪnaɪ/

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Distribution

The tribe has been recorded from Europe (including Ukraine), the Republic of South Africa, Iran, Morocco, and Argentina. Distribution records include new faunistic findings for multiple across these regions.

Diet

Larvae of Merodon and Eumerus tunnel into plant bulbs. Eumerus strigatus has been observed feeding on Allium cepa (onion) and is described as phytophagous.

Human Relevance

Eumerus strigatus is considered an in Argentina with potential risk to onion crops, prompting recommendations for monitoring.

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Sources and further reading