zoDiox. 373 



Genus ZODION, Latr. 



Zodion, Latreille, Hist. Nat. Crust. Ins. iii, p. 444 (1802) ; id., 

 Precis ties Cavact. g-(§n. d. Ins., p. 162 (179(5, sine specie). 



Genotype, Myopa cinerea, Ynhv. : by original designation. 



Bead rather large, not much broader than thorax, bare ; epis- 

 tome receding; lower part of head projected downwards much 

 below eyes ; cheeks nearly as broad as longer diameter of eyes. 

 Eyes wide apart in both sexes, bare. Proboscis very thin, slightly 

 bristly, bent at l)ase only, so that it is horizontal, prominent, 

 curved slightly anteriorly ; labella veiy small ; palpi short, cylin- 

 drical, bristly. Ocelli present. Anteimte porrect, short; 1st 

 joint shortest, I'nd and 3rd subequal, 1st and 2nd bristly, 3rd 

 bare and oval, with short style-like dorsal arista. Thorax sub- 

 quadrate with rounded corners ; scutellum semicircular. Abdomen 

 moderately long, arched above, flat below, rather enlarged apically, 

 with moderately prominent genitalia of the usual type. Legs 

 moderately long and stout ; femora slightly thickened, hind pair 

 hardly longer than the others, finely bristly. Pr/»^s of normal 

 venation ; 1st posterior cell usually closed at margin, sometimes 

 slightly petiolate, sometimes narrowly open*; anal cell long, 

 nearly reaching border of wing ; subcostal vein present, sometimes 

 rudimentary. 



HaiKje. Europe, Canary Is., Orient, North and South America. 



Life-historif. Z. cinereum is parasitic on the bee llijhtus A-stri- 

 (jatus, Latr. 



Tlie representatives of this genus are typically Myopine, almost 

 bare flies of grey hues, with abdomen sometimes spotted, and 

 clear wings. They occur on flowers and in grassy spots, and are 

 not uncommon in the places where they are found. 



Table of /Species. 



1. First posterior cell closed ; (scutelliuii with 



six rather robust bristles on bind margin, 

 set in six distinct blackisli-brown spots ; 

 spots on hinder part of thoracic dorsum 

 larger and more conspicuous tlian in 



(/riaeum) ciiiereian, Fabr., p. 374. 



First posterior cell distinctly open 2. 



2, Hind femora witli bnssil liaif orange; an- 



terior femora dark brown, paler at base ; 

 antennic considerably reddish-orange, 

 2nd joint much longer tlian .'»rd ; .'ird 

 vein distinctly bisinuate from anterior 

 cross-vein to tip montanmn, Hrun., p. ;i7o. 



* The l»t posterior cell ha;* liitlierto always been described as clospd, but 

 some sjiecies, both Nortli Ameiieun and Indian, undoubtedly belonging to 

 Zodion, have it very dislinctly, tlioiigh iiiirrowly, open. 



