Revision of the Merodon bombiformis group (Diptera: Syrphidae) - rare and endemic African hoverflies Author Vujić, Ante E80A5C9B-5450-4E15-ACEB-FC3B94CF2244 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. ante.vujic@dbe.uns.ac.rs Author Radenković, Snežana 26DF35D9-55FA-4485-8E8C-C1F90EFE1036 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. snezana.radenkovic@dbe.uns.ac.rs Author Zorić, Ljiljana Šašić A0EFB962-F816-4399-A5F2-67839DD19CE8 University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute, Dr Zorana Ðinđića 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. ljsasic@biosense.rs Author Likov, Laura 6787F9E8-3EA9-4695-B8A1-725787BCB9DD University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. laura.likov@dbe.uns.ac.rs Author Tot, Tamara E4436AC7-B3B6-4899-838D-5A6ECD8E6BFB University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. tamaratot90@gmail.com Author Veselić, Sanja 625C1317-F45B-46E8-B55E-51032B1F7C67 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. sanja.veselic@dbe.uns.ac.rs Author Djan, Mihajla BE29D9A9-CC69-416C-8F85-4B8AA99A6C71 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. mihajla.djan@dbe.uns.ac.rs text European Journal of Taxonomy 2021 2021-06-21 755 1 88 135 http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.755.1401 journal article 5990 10.5852/ejt.2021.755.1401 fc3a8901-c995-49e0-b8b5-6ec0c9727de4 2118-9773 5013000 F8C5C34F-CCBB-420B-9319-1DA224A5D783 Genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 Diagnosis of the Merodon aureus lineage Mid coxa with long pile posteriorly ( Fig. 2A ); anterior anepisternum below postpronotum with many long pile ( Fig. 2B ); species with stocky abdomen ( Fig. 2C ); lateral sclerites of the aedeagus very small or absent ( Fig. 3A : marked with arrow). Diagnosis of the Merodon bombiformis group Pedicel elongated, approximately as long as basoflagellomere ( Fig. 4 ); abdomen broad ( Fig. 5 ); metafemur with less serrated apicoventral triangular lamina, usually only the apical dens is distinct ( Fig. 6 ); metatrochanter of males smooth, without calcar ( Fig. 6 ); male genitalia with posterior surstyle lobe usually bent (as on Fig. 7A, D : pl), and hypandrium narrowed medially (as on Fig. 7C : marked with arrow); distribution: Afrotropical Region ( Fig. 1 ). The Merodon bombiformis group and M. funestus (Fabricius, 1794) differ from other species and groups among the aureus lineage by an elongated pedicel, approximately as long or even longer than basoflagellomere ( Fig. 4 ) and small lateral sclerite of the aedeagus (as on Fig. 3B, D : s) (absent in other species and groups of the aureus lineage, on Fig. 3A : marked with arrow). Morphologically, the M. bombiformis group can be distinguished from M. funestus by the absence of a calcar on metatrochanter in males (present in M. funestus , on Fig. 8A ), less dentate apicoventral triangular lamina on the metafemur, but usually with a distinct apical dens ( Fig. 8B ) (clearly dentate in M. funestus , on Fig. 8A ) and by the shape of the posterior lobe of the surstylus: tip rounded in bombiformis group (as on Fig. 13A, D : pl), but tapering in M. funestus ( Fig. 19A : pl).