A REVIEW OF THE GENUS BOMBYLIUS LINNAEUS S LAT (DIPTERA, BOMBYLIIDAE)FROM AFRICA AND EURASIA

The history of the genus Bombylius Linnaeus in the Old World is review ed in relation to its position within the Bombyliinae. It is concluded that the retention of the tribes Bombyliini and Dischistini is, at pr esent, only justified for taxonomic convenience. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Bombylius, as currently defined, is paraphyletic and suppo rts its division into at least seven distinct genera. Consequently, th e genus Bombylius s.str. is redefined, and Triplasius Loew and Parisus Walker are raised from synonymy and also redefined. New genera are de scribed; Bombomyia gen.n. for the Bombylius discoideus Fabricius group of species, Bombylella gen.n. for the Bombylius ornatus Wiedemann gro up of species, Beckerellus gen.n. for the Bombylius terminatus Becker group of species, Xerachistus gen.n. for the Bombylius acutus Bezzi gr oup of species and Australoechus gen.n. for the Bombylius micans Fabri cius group of species. Species are allocated to these genera and two n ew species are described, Parisus pangoniiformis sp.n. from the Somali Peninsula and Dischistus holopticus sp.n. from Kenya. The synapomorph ies of the 'Bombyliini' are discussed and it is suggested that they ar e adaptations to rapid hovering flight during courtship.