Genus Syrphus

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · See Also

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon (Aschiza)

Family Syrphidae (Syrphid Flies)

Subfamily Syrphinae

Tribe Syrphini

Genus Syrphus

Explanation of Names

From Greek syrphos (συρφος), the name of a small winged insect, often translated as "gnat"

Numbers

Nomina Nearctica lists 13 species

Identification

The only genus in the Syrphini that has long hairs on the lower lobe of the calypter. This is used to separate the genus from all related genera.

In most Syrphus (but not in all and also in some species in other genera) the mesonotum is dull. Many Syrphinae have a strongly shining mesonotum, sometimes with two whitish stripes near the anterior margin. Paul Beck's comments)

Informative comment on how to distinguish S. torvus from S. opinator made by Chris Thompson.

See Also

Eupeodes

Contributed by Beatriz Moisset on 5 January, 2005 - 1:15pm
Additional contributions by Chuck Entz, Harsi S. Parker
Last updated 22 April, 2009 - 9:00pm

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