Palpada is a genus of 85 neotropical and nearctic flower flies or hoverflies.; 2009: Cladistic analysis and taxonomic revision of the scutellaris group of Palpada Macquart (Diptera: Syrphidae). Invertebrate systematics, 23: 301–347. This genus is often colorful and bee-like. It is in the tribe Eristaliini containing dozens of genera. Common sister genera include Eristalis (99 species), Meromacrus (43 sp.), Eristalinus (100 sp.) and Helophilus (50 sp.). The genus Palpada is distinguished by: Eyes with uniform pile. Meron with fine pale hairs in front of or below spiracle. Hind femur with basal patch of dense black setulae. Cell r2+3 closed before wing margin. R4+5 moderately to strongly dipped into cell r4+5.
The larvae are aquatic and have a distinctive shape, usually being referred to as rat-tailed. The rat-tail is a breathng tube that allows the larvae to live in low oxygen water.
Species
References
External links
Genus Palpada on BugGuide