Hercostomus is a genus of flies in the family Dolichopodidae. It is a large genus, containing more than 483 species worldwide. Multiple studies have shown that Hercostomus is a polyphyletic assemblage of species.

Species groups The genus currently includes the following species groups, at least 25 of which are known from China: Hercostomus abnormis group – China Hercostomus absimilis group – China Hercostomus albidipes group – China Hercostomus apiculatus group – China Hercostomus baishanzuensis group – China Hercostomus biancistrus group – China Hercostomus crassivena group – China Hercostomus curvus group – China Hercostomus cyaneculus group – China Hercostomus digitatus group – China Hercostomus digitiformis group – China Hercostomus fatuus group – China Hercostomus flavimaculatus group – China Hercostomus flaviventris group – China Hercostomus fluvius group – China Hercostomus hamatus group – China(?) Hercostomus incisus group – China Hercostomus intactus group – China Hercostomus longicercus group – China Hercostomus longus group – China Hercostomus nanlingensis group – China Hercostomus plagiatus group – Palearctic Hercostomus prolongatus group – China Hercostomus quadriseta group – China Hercostomus shennongjiensis group – China(?) Hercostomus subnovus group – China Hercostomus takagii group – China Hercostomus ulrichi group – China

The Palearctic species of Hercostomus are traditionally separated into five numbered groups, based on the coloration of the femora, postocular setae and antennae: Group I: Femora yellow; lower postocular setae yellow or white; antennae partly yellow Group II: Femora yellow; lower postocular setae yellow or white; antennae black Group III: Femora yellow; lower postocular setae black Group IV: Femora black; lower postocular setae yellow or white Group V: Femora black; lower postocular setae black

In 1999, Igor Grichanov divided the Afrotropical species of Hercostomus into three numbered groups. Two of these have since been separated into their own genera: Group I: now Afrohercostomus Group II: considered part of Hercostomus sensu stricto Group III: now Neohercostomus

See also List of Hercostomus species

References