Genus Epistrophe Walker, 1852 (Insects: Diptera: Syrphidae) in Northern Iran, with a new species record

Abstract

The genus Epistrophe Walker, 1852 (Diptera: Syrphidae) was studied in the north of Iran. The specimens were collected using malaise traps between March and August 2011. Three species were collected and identified: Epistrophe nitidicollis (Meigen, 1822), E. eligans (Harris, 1780) and E. euchroma (Kowarz, 1885). E. nitidicollis is a new record from Iran. Geographical distribution of the three species are briefly discussed. An identification key with supplementary figures is presented for the species of the genus Epistrophe occurring in this region.