70 SYRPHID^. 



sott pubescence, as has also the thoracic dorsum. Abdomen longer 

 than thorax, segments subequal in length except the very short 

 last one in cT and the small anal segments in $ ; ranging in shape 

 from a short oval to a long oblong, generally broader in ? ; yellow 

 or pale spots or bands present in all species. Legs simple, slightly 

 pubescent. Wings with typical Syrphine venation ; anterior cross- 

 vein before middle of discal cell, 3rd vein normally almost straight; 

 alulae and squamae of moderate size. Wings folded over abdomen 

 at rest. 



Life-Mstory, The larvae feed on Aphides, the metamorphoses of 

 several European species being known *. 



Range. World-wide. 



Fig. 16. — Si/rjyhus conf rater, Wied., (^. 



The typical genus of the family, forming the centre of a group 

 containing Didea, Platychirus, Melanostorna, Pyrophcena, Cliilosia 

 and allies, and some othei's. Lasiopticus^ Eond., and Ischyro- 

 syrphus, Big., are recognised as distinct, though they do not 

 strongly appeal to me as such. Some confusion has arisen over 

 the synonymy of the genus which is lucidly explained by Verrall f. 

 This author also records two swarms (consisting of more than one 

 species) that occurred in England in 1869, simultaneously at two 

 places. The genus occurs almost everywhere, though its natural 

 home seems to be Europe. De Meijere gives some valuable 

 notes on the Oriental species, with a table (Tijd. v. Ent. li, 

 p. 291 ei seq.). 



Table of Species. 



1. Eyes pubescent 2. 



Eyes bare 10. 



2. Two definite greyish stripes on anterior 



part of thorax (less distinct in serarius) . 3. 

 No such obvious stripes ; at most, traces in 

 individuals 4. 



3. A black facial stripe ; grey thoracic stripes 



more distinct albostriatns,Fln., p. 72. 



No facial stripe ; grey thoracic stripes less 

 distinct serarius, Wied., p. 73 



* See p. 25 and footnote to p. 26. 

 t Brit. Flie.='. SyrpliidiP, p. 3^0. 



