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Genus Eumerus

Small Syrphid - Eumerus Eumerus - female syrphid fly - Eumerus - male Syrphid Fly - Eumerus - male Small Fly - Eumerus Eumerus sp. - Eumerus Fly ID Request - Eumerus Maybe a soldier fly? - Eumerus - female
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Diptera (Flies)
No Taxon ("Aschiza")
Family Syrphidae (Hover Flies)
Subfamily Eristalinae
Tribe Merodontini
Genus Eumerus
Explanation of Names
Eumerus Meigen 1822
Numbers
3 spp. in our area (all adventive)(1)(2), >280 worldwide
Identification
Either blackish flies with silvery spots on the tergites or reddish flies with blackish thorax. Hind Femur is swollen. The head bears no facial projection and the mouth edge is only slightly projected.
Range
most diverse in the Palaearctic; in NA, coast to coast(1)
Habitat
Most are thermophilous and can be found in grasslands and at the borders of woods and bushes, often near the larval foodplants.
Life Cycle
larvae mine in bulbs (e.g. Allium) and are considered pests
Remarks
Most species fly quickly near the surface, which makes them difficult to spot
Internet References
Works Cited
1.Eumerus narcissi Smith (Diptera, Syrphidae), presence in Europe confirmed, with a redescription of the species
Speight M.C.D., Hauser M., Withers P. 2013. Dipterists Digest 20: 17-32.
2.Key to the genera of nearctic Syrphidae
Miranda G.F.G, Young A.D., Locke M.M., Marshall S.A., Skevington J.H., Thompson F.C. 2013. Can. J. Arthropod Identification 23: 1-351.