Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2012
The Holarctic genus Symphoromyia, the biting snipe flies, is discussed and a taxonomic history of the group is reviewed. Five subgenera including Symphoromyia s. str., Paraphoromyia Becker, and three new subgenera, Axinicera, Pogonaria and Ochleromyia, are established and a key for their separation and recognition of included species-groups is presented. Each subgenus and its associated species-groups are discussed and compared with respect to distribution, morphology, and evolutionary trends. Known aspects of biology for the genus are presented to include: (1) a generalized life cycle; (2) immatures; (3) natural enemies; (4) female biting activity; (5) male swarm behavior.