Identification key to the subfamilies of Bombyliidae recorded in China.
1 Postcranium flat or tumid, without concavity surrounding occipital foramen ....................................... 2
- Postcranium with deep or shallow concavity surrounding occipital foramen....................................... 7
2 R 4+5 unbranched; palps absent or minute; abdominal spiracles located in tergites; very small, 1–5 mm ..... Mythicomyiinae
- R 4+5 branched; palps present and most often large; abdominal spiracles in pleural membrane........................ ... 3
3 M 2 absent........................................................................................... 4
- M 2 present.......................................................................................... 5
4 Flagellum with subapical sulcus containing a style..................................................... Usiinae
- Flagellum without a subapical sulcus ............................................................ Toxophorinae
5 Flagellum with an apical sulcus containing a style................................................... Phthiriinae
- Flagellum lacking an apical sulcus ........................................................................ 6
6 Body slender, abdomen elongate, slender and slightly tapering towards apex; vein dm-cu strongly curved; flagellum onesegmented; acanthophorite spines apically expanded..................................... Ecliminae (new to China)
- Body broad, abdomen not elongated, stout and strongly tapering towards apex; if body slender and vein dm-cu strongly curved, then flagellum three-segmented; acanthophorite spines apically narrowed, sometimes absent............... Bombyliinae
7 Clypeus reaching base of antennae.................................................. Lomatiinae (new to China)
- Clypeus not reaching base of antennae........................................................... Anthracinae