The Syrphide of the Ethiopian Region. 



INTRODUCTION. 
THe extensive collection of Ethiopian Syrphidxz, sent me for study 
from the Imperial Bureau of Entomology, enables us to obtain a 
better idea than has hitherto been possible of the Syrphid fauna of 
this Region. 
The Syrphide forma very large family, numbering about 2300 
described species *, which are to be found in all parts of the world ; 
from the Ethiopian Region, however, comparatively few species 
are known. The number hitherto recorded from this Region is 
only 189, to which, in the present contribution, are added 60 new 
forms, thus bringing the whole number of the species at present 
known up to 249. A catalogue of these is appended (pp. 3-5). 
A striking characteristic of the Ethiopian Syrphid fauna is the 
complete absence of Pipiza and allied genera, and also of Platy- 
chirus and Chilosia, two genera which are abundantly represented 
in the Palearctic Region. The Mediterranean genus JJerodon is 
scarcely to be found, while ylota, Milesia, Chrysotoxum, and 
their allies are also very poorly represented or entirely wanting. 
Very notable is the almost complete absence of the genus Volucella, 
which has only a single little-known species, although a second one 
has been introduced from Tropical America. 
* In Kertész’s ‘ Catalogus Dipterorum,’ vol. vii. (1910), 123 genera and 
2162 species are recorded as known at the end of the year 1907. 
B 
