26 SYEPHIDJi. 



the Syrpliidoe of Ohio (Ohio Biol. Survey Bull, i, pp. 7-122, 

 pis. i-xi (Cokunbus, 1913); see also Ohio Naturalist, vol. xiii, 

 pp. 81 -Ul, pis. iv-v, 1913)*. 



The perfect insects are mostly sun-lovers, and are in fact 

 frequently called " sun-flies," occurring practically in any situation 

 on warm days, especially on flowers and sweet-smelling ]ilants. 

 They are amongst the most skilful hoverers in the whole of the 

 Diptera, returning again and again to the same spot after fre- 

 ([uent strokes of the net liave been made to capture them. Some 

 species fly with a loud shrill hum, and many bear close re- 

 semblance to bees, wasps, and hornets {Vohicella, Crio7-r7iina, 

 Eristalis, Microdon, Sjniomyia and the CkminvE), whilst certain 

 genera of smaller species (Eiimerus, Paragus, Pijyiza, etc.) appear 

 to mimic some of the smaller aculeate Hymemoptera {Halictus 

 etc.), and Yerrall thinks there is some connexion between them. 

 The more typical forms, such as Syrphus and its allies, are of 

 moderate or ratlier small size, mostly with yellow as the prevailing 

 colour ; or else of a dark colour with yellow spots and transverse 

 abdominal bands, frequently with similarly coloured callus-like 

 spots on the thorax. 



The SiRPHiDiE are a natural and well-defined group, and are 

 usually the first to attract the notice of collectors from their 

 general distribution, bright colours and the ease with which many 

 species may be identified. The family is unquestionabh^ allied to 

 the PipunculidjE on the one hand, by the elongate anal cell and 

 the discal cell projected distally, and through the same characters 

 to the CoNOPii)^, but the latter family, owing to the subfamily 

 Myopin.e being akin to the Muscin.f;, is usually placed (with the 

 CEsTKiD^ also) between the Sybphid.T' and the MtJSCiDiE. 



Table of Subfaniilies. 



1. Antennse moderately long, generally droop- 



ing ; if very elongate or porrect, not seated 



on a produced frons 2. 



Antennje very porrect ; frons conspicuously 

 produced (except in Microdon, which is 

 distinguished by its peculiar venation) . . 5. 



2. Anterior cross-vein before middle of discal 



cell 3. 



Anterior cross-vein at or after middle of 

 discal cell : generallv sloping 4. 



3. Marginal cell open ; apical section of 4th 



vein not recurrent (rare exceptions) ; arista 



bare or at most slightly pubescent SyRPHiNiE, p. 27. 



* Suiniuaries of what is known of the biologj* are given (iu English) under 

 the various genera by Luiidbeck, ' Diptera Danica,' Part V (Copenhagen, 191()) ; 

 tbis wiirk is several times cited u\ tlie present book. For some information on 

 tbe biology of common European species {Melanostoma, LasiojMcus , Syrphus), 

 see also L. N. Staniland in tbe ' Fruit Grower, Fruiterer, Florist and Market 

 Gardener' (L )ndon), vol. 53, nos 1365-6, 26. i.& 2. ii. 1922, pp. 143-4, 185-7, 

 10 figs, (abstract in Eev. Appl. Eut. Ser. A. x, April 1922, p. 185). 



