Syrphini

hoverflies

Genus Guides

Allograpta(Streaktails)
Chrysotoxum(Meadow Flies)
Dasysyrphus
Didea(lucent flies)
Dioprosopa(drone flies)
Doros
Eosalpingogaster
Epistrophe(hoverfly)
Epistrophella

Syrphini is a globally distributed tribe of hoverflies ( Syrphidae) comprising approximately 37 recognized and hundreds of . Members exhibit classic hoverfly with compact bodies, large , and the characteristic hovering . The tribe is taxonomically diverse, with particularly notable patterns in the Neotropical region where species are concentrated in two large, highly diverse genera, contrasting with other zoogeographic regions where moderate-sized genera predominate. The group has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, with eight new genera and multiple subgenera described in recent decades.

Scaeva affinis by (c) Michael Warner, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael Warner. Used under a CC-BY license.

Lapposyrphus lapponicus by (c) Jeremiah Degenhardt, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jeremiah Degenhardt. Used under a CC-BY license.

Leucozona americana by (c) Matt Muir, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Muir. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Syrphini: //sɪrˈfaɪ.naɪ//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Syrphini can be distinguished from other syrphid tribes by combinations of morphological characters including facial structure, wing venation patterns, and abdominal shape. The tribe lacks the distinctive dark brown medial wing maculae seen in some related . Within Syrphini, are distinguished by features such as facial development, abdominal shape (elongate oval versus other forms), presence or absence of premarginal , and male terminalia structure. The Neotropical fauna is notably distinct, with overwhelmingly belonging to two large genera rather than the more evenly distributed generic diversity seen in other regions.

Images

Distribution

Worldwide distribution across all major zoogeographic regions. The Neotropical fauna is characterized by a unique pattern where nearly all belong to two large, highly diverse , contrasting with other regions (Nearctic, Palearctic, Ethiopian, Oriental, Australian) where Syrphini consist primarily of moderate-sized genera with less intrageneric diversity. New genera have been described from South America (Notosyrphus), Ethiopian Region (Exallandra), Oriental Region and Australia (Citrogramma), Mexico (Dideomima), Ecuador (Hermesomyia), North and South America (Pseudoscaeva), Haiti (Antillus), New Guinea (Guluwea), and China (Flavizona).

Similar Taxa

ToxomeriniToxomerus and related were formerly included in Syrphini but are now placed in their own tribe Toxomerini based on morphological distinctions
BacchiniOrphnabaccha was transferred from Bacchini to Syrphini, indicating historical taxonomic confusion between these tribes; Bacchini generally differ in larval and

More Details

Taxonomic history

The generic classification of Syrphini underwent major revision in 1969 (Vockeroth) and subsequent updates, with eight new described in a 1969 memoir and additional genera (including Flavizona from China) described in 2010. The tribe has been subject to phylogenetic analysis using genetic data, revealing multiple clades within the group.

Research significance

Syrphini represents a model group for studying biogeographic patterns in Diptera, particularly the contrast between Neotropical generic concentration versus Old World generic diversity. The group is also important for understanding hoverfly evolution and diversification patterns.