Bacchini

Genus Melanostoma (Bacchini)

Melanostoma has an “excavated” or hollowed out metasternum that distinguishes the genus from Platycheirus. Patterns of abdominal markings are species specific. Only six North American species are recognized of which just one, M. mellinum, is widely distributed across North America and has been recorded in the islands and the wider Salish Sea. It is associated with grass and open meadows.

Genus Platycheirus (Bacchini)

A large circumpolar genus that is adapted to cold; many species live in northern Canada and Alaska. Platycheirus have a dark convex face, dark metallic thorax, and three pairs of pale blue-gray or yellow blocks forming a species-specific pattern on the abdomen. At least 21 of 78 North American species are recorded in the Salish Sea, making Platycheirus one of our region’s most diverse hover fly genera. Some species prefer wetlands, others prefer wind  pollinated grasses and trees. Some of these flies reproduce once a year, but others can reproduce several times each summer.