Abstract
The Western Palaearctic genus Helicobosca Bezzi, 1906 is described in detail and its systematic position discussed. The monophyly of the calyptrate families Tachinidae, Rhinophoridae, Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae is reviewed. Helicobosca is removed from its current position within the subfamily Paramacronychiinae of the Sarcophagidae and transferred to the Calliphoridae, where a new subfamily Helicoboscinae Verves, 1980, stat.n., is erected for its reception. The third stage larva of H. palpalis (Robineau-Desvoidy) is described for the first time.