Revision of the Palaearctic species of the Merodon desuturinus group (Diptera, Syrphidae)

Abstract

This revision of material belonging to the <i>Merodon desuturinus</i> group from the Palaearctic Region resulted in the delimitation of four species: <i>Merodon cabanerensis</i> Marcos-García, Vujić & Mengual, 2007; <i>Merodon desuturinus</i> Vujić, Šimić & Radenković, 1995; <i>Merodon neolydicus</i> Vujić, <b>nom. n.</b>; and <i>Merodon murorum</i> Fabricius, 1794. <i>Merodon murorum</i> is redescribed. A neotype for <i>Merodon auripilus</i> Meigen, 1830 is designated, which is a new junior synonym of <i>Merodon murorum</i>. The related Afrotropical species <i>Merodon cuthbertsoni</i> Curran, 1939 is re-evaluated and compared to its sibling Palaearctic taxon <i>Merodon desuturinus</i>. An identification key for the <i>Merodon desuturinus</i> group is provided.