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The species of the New World syrphid genus, Quichuana Knab, 1913 (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalini), are revised and the genus is re-diagnosed. Twenty-four new species are described, bringing the total number considered valid to 48. New species were mostly reared from Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad, and Venezuela. The male of Quichuana picadoi is described for the first time. Quichuana championi is proposed as a synonym of Quichuana cincta, Quichuana aurata as a synonym of Quichuana angustiventris, and Quichuana sepiapennis as a synonym of Quichuana calathea. Quichuana inca var. brevicera is raised to specific status. Lectotypes are designated for Helophilus auratus, Quichuana bezzii, Quichuana fasciata, and Quichuana parisii. A species-level identification key for both males and females is provided. Male genitalia of 18 species are illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 197 species comprise the widespread syrphid tribe, the Cerioidini (Diptera: Syrphidae), but rearing data are known for <5% of species. We obtained puparia of 10 species from fieldwork in Costa Rica. Cuba, and México and from material loaned to us from Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, and the United States. These species are included in four of the five genera recognized in the tribe: two species of Ceriana Rafinesque, 1815; three species of Monoceromyia Shannon, 1925; four of Polybiomyia Shannon, 1925; and one species of Sphiximorpha Rondani, 1850. We describe and compare these puparia. They all possessed the diagnostic characters for the tribe. However, no early stage characters were correlated, hence early stages did not form groups based on shared characters. Some structures were relatively constant in form such its head skeletons and locomotory organs, but characters that showed plasticity included integumental vestiture and respiratory, organs. A few features such as the unusually broader than long posterior respiratory process of Ceriana ornotta Saunders, 1845, the spicules on the dorsum of the prothorax of Sphiximorpha barbipes (Loew, 1853), and the mesothoracic hooks of Monoceromyia tricolor (Loew, 1861) were unique to these species. Most cerioidine larvae were reared from tree sap but others crone from tree holes, the liquid center of a cut agave (Agavaceae) and bee nests (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Field observations of larvae and their breeding site suggested functional explanations for some morphological features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten species of Copestylum (Diptera: Syrphidae) were reared from fruits and flowers in Costa Rica, Ecuador and Trinidad. Seven were new and in this paper, we describe them, their development sites and the third stage larva and/or the puparium of all ten species. One new synonym is proposed, Copestylum pinkusi (Curran) [= Copestylum cinctiventre (Curran)]. Similarities and differences between these new and other Copestylum species, suggest they separate into two groups, referred to as the Vagum and Cinctiventre species groups. Features characterising these groups for both adult and early stages are assessed. Each species was also distinguished using adult and early stage characters. Within the Vagum group, adults were more disparate morphologically than the larval stage; this was reversed in the Cinctiventre group. Adult colour patterns are probably cryptic in function and for disguise. Vagum species have disruptive marks, while the Cinctiventre species have reflective colours. Biologically, the groups are almost distinguished by larval development sites. Vagum species use predominantly fruits and have a larval stage that is relatively generalised in form and habit. Cinctiventre species are confined to developing in flowers and the larva is more specialised. A key to both adult and early stages of all ten species is provided.