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Syrphidae
Episyrphus (Episyrphus) balteatus (De Geer)
Nomenclature
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Genus: EpisyrphusSubgenus: Episyrphus (Episyrphus)
Media
SUMMARY
Episyrphus can usually be readily recognized by the peculiar double-banded pattern of the terga. It is almost certainly closely related to Meliscaeva, the only other genus consistently with discrete black sclerotized dots along the posterior wing margin. It is by far the most widespread of the strictly Old World genera, but I know of only one species in Europe and two in Africa. It is surprising that a genus with at least one species [balteatus (De Geer)] extremely abundant and widespread (England to Japan and India), and with migratory habits, has not spread to the New World. It is also absent from much of the Pacific, apparently not extending farther east than Bonin Is., Solomon Is., New Hebrides, and New Caledonia (from VOckeroth 1969).
Episyrphus s. str. species have eye bare, antenna short, abdomen suboval, metasternum pilose, wing margin with a series of minute closely spaced black maculae on posterior margin, metacoxa without tuft of pile, and anterior anepisternum pilose at least posterodorsally.