Melangyna coei
Nielsen, 1971
Coe's Halfband
Melangyna coei is a of hoverfly in the Syrphidae, described by Nielsen in 1971. The species is known from Norway and Sweden, and has been assigned the 'Coe's Halfband' in iNaturalist. As a member of the Melangyna, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized hoverflies commonly associated with coniferous and mixed forests.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Melangyna coei: /mɛˈlæŋɪnə ˈkoʊ.i/
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Identification
Melangyna coei can be distinguished from other Melangyna by subtle abdominal patterning and male genitalia ; precise identification requires examination of specimens. The species name 'coei' honors the British entomologist Richard L. Coe.
Distribution
Norway and Sweden.
Similar Taxa
- Melangyna lasiophthalmaOverlaps in distribution and shares general body plan; requires genitalia examination to separate.
- Melangyna umbellatarumSimilar size and abdominal patterning; distinguished by subtle differences in facial coloring and male terminalia.
More Details
Taxonomic Status
The Catalogue of Life lists this as a synonym, while GBIF treats it as accepted. This discrepancy reflects ongoing taxonomic evaluation of Nordic Melangyna species.
Etymology
The specific epithet 'coei' honors Richard L. Coe (1907–1988), a British dipterist who made significant contributions to the of hoverflies, particularly the Syrphinae.