Melanogaster, Rondani, 1857

Prokhorov, A. V., Popov, G. V. & Shparyk, V. Yu., 2020, New Records Of Hover Flies (Diptera, Syrphidae) From Ukraine. Iv, Zoodiversity 54 (1), pp. 17-30 : 22-23

Key to males of European Melanogaster

1 Eyes dichoptic. ........................................................................... Melanogaster nigricans (Stackelberg, 1922)

— Eyes holoptic. ...................................................................................................................................................... 2

2 Wing base bright yellow; body dark olive green. ............ Melanogaster jaroslavensis (Stackelberg, 1922)

— Wing base darkened, blackish or brownish; body black. .............................................................................. 3

3 Tergite 8 with short pile (as long as diameter of hind ocellus); surstylus less than twice as long as wide. .................................................................................................................. Melanogaster nuda (Macquart, 1829)

— Tergite 8 with long pile (noticeably longer than diameter of hind ocellus); surstylus 2–3 times longer than wide..............................................................................................................................................................4

4 Scutum with pale and black pile, pale pile often more abundant. ............................................................... 5

— Scutum with black pile. ...................................................................................................................................... 6

5 Mesonotum covered with long and short pale and black pile mixed; face broad: ratio of the maximum head width to the face width at the level right under the antennal base 1.91–2.08; surstylus with apex not curved. ............................................................................................................................. M. hirtella Loew, 1843

— Mesonotum covered with short pale (yellowish) pile almost equally short; face narrow: ratio of the maximum head width to the face width at the level right under the antennal base 2.27–2.37; surstylus with curved apex. ....................................................................................... M. curvistylus Vujić & Stuke, 1998

6 Facial tubercle distinctly elongated and pointed ( fig. 15 ); face narrower: ratio of the maximum head width to the face width at the level just below the antennal base 2.2 ( fig. 19 ); scutum, especially notopleuron and lateral side of scutum posterior to transverse suture often with a slight bronze or copper tint. ................................................................................................................................ M. aerosa (Loew, 1843)

— Facial tubercle weakly developed and flattened ( fig. 13 ); face broader: ratio of the maximum head width to the face width at the level just below the antennal base 1.95–2.0 ( fig. 17 ); scutum mostly shining black. ................................................................................................................. M. parumplicata (Loew, 1840)

Figures

Figs 13–16. Melanogaster parumplicata (figs 13, 14) and M. aerosa (figs 15, 16): 13, 15 — head, male, lateral view (arrow shows facial tubercle); 14, 16 — head, female, lateral view (arrow shows a transition from upper to lower part of the face).

Figs 17–20. Melanogaster parumplicata (figs 17, 18) and M. aerosa (figs 19, 20): 17, 19 — head, male, frontal view; 18, 20 — head, female, frontal view.