Sphaerophoria (Sphaerophoria) menthastri (Linnaeus, 1758)

Musca menthastri Linnaeus, 1758: 594 . Type locality: Sweden (Svecia).

Syrphus melissae Meigen, 1822: 326 . Type locality: Germany (Stolberg nr. Aachen).

Syrphus pictus Meigen, 1822: 326 . Type locality: Germany.

World distribution: PA: Azores Is., Canary Is., China, Egypt, Europe (widespread), Japan, Mongolia, Morocco. Egyptian localities: Lower Nile Valley & Delta: Shubra [Sources: Shaumar & Kamal (1978)]. Activity period in Egypt: June.

Remarks: Given the huge confusion in the application of the name menthastri, which has been redefined on the basis of the male genitalia (Dirickx, 1994), it is best to disregard all the older records of this species pending reexamination of the specimens. Thus the status of this species in Egypt must be regarded as doubtful.