Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae)

This study focuses on the lineage within the genus , exploring morphological, genetic, and distributional aspects of two related assemblies within this lineage: the and species groups. An integrative taxonomic approach was followed to ensure comprehensive species identification and validation, using adult morphology, wing geometric morphometrics, and genetic analysis of the mtDNA COI gene. In the group, seven species were identified, including three new species: Vujić, Radenković & Likov, , Vujić, Radenković & Likov, , and Vujić, Radenković & Likov, In the group, our revision revealed a new species, Vujić, Radenković & Likov, , and the revalidation of Gil Collado, 1929, Macquart, 1842 is redescribed. Diagnoses, identification keys to species, and distribution maps are provided, and neotypes for Fabricius, 1781 and (Sack, 1931) are designated. Additionally, the following new synonyms are proposed: , , , and are junior synonyms of ; and and are junior synonyms of .