Abstract
In the present work, the Afrotropical species of the bombiformis species group, part of the aureus lineage, are revised. Six species are recognized, based on a combination of morphological and genetic features. Three of these species are new to science: Merodon lotus Vujić & Radenković sp. nov., M. vittatus Vujić & Likov sp. nov., and M. zebra Vujić & Radenković sp. nov. Redescriptions are provided for the other three species: M. bombiformis Hull, 1944, M. multifasciatus Curran, 1939, and M. nasicus Bezzi, 1915. The female of M. bombiformis is described. The name Merodon edentulus Macquart, 1855 is considered here as a nomen dubium. One new synonymy is proposed: M. apimima Hull, 1944 syn. nov. (junior synonym of M. multifasciatus). The distribution of the bombiformis species group is discussed. The larval host plant of M. multifasciatus is identified as Gladiolus. A key to the identification of both males and females of the bombiformis group is provided.
Highlights
The phytophagous hoverfly genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalinae: Merodontini) is distributed across the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions and comprises more than 160 species (Ståhls et al 2009; Vujić et al 2012)
The M. bombiformis group can be distinguished from M. funestus by the absence of a calcar on metatrochanter in males, less dentate apicoventral triangular lamina on the metafemur, but usually with a distinct apical dens (Fig. 8B) and by the shape of the posterior lobe of the surstylus: tip rounded in bombiformis group, but tapering in M. funestus (Fig. 19A: pl)
The majority of species of Merodon are present in Southern Europe and Asia Minor, which coincides with the high diversity of geophytes in these regions
Summary
The phytophagous hoverfly genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalinae: Merodontini) is distributed across the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions and comprises more than 160 species (Ståhls et al 2009; Vujić et al 2012). The highest diversity of genus Merodon is recorded around the Mediterranean basin, a phenomenon which has been associated with the great variety of geophytes in this region, as those are the host plants of larvae of Merodon (Andrić et al 2014; Ricarte et al 2017). Nowhere within the Afrotropical Region is there a high diversity of species of Merodon
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