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IUCN SSC Hoverfly Specialist Group

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Episyrphus balteatus

Eupeodes corollae

Cheilosia sp.

Cheilosia sp.

Merodon avidus

Merodon avidus

Syrphus torvus

Merodon avidus

Dasysyrphus albostriatus

Dasysyrphus albostriatus

Eristalis tenax

Palpada furcata

Volucella zonaria

Cheilosia sp.

Platycheirus albimanus

Volucella zonaria

Pelecinobaccha adspersa

Peradon sp.

Toxomerus pulchellus

Toxomerus virgulatus

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iucnhoverflysg

🍃🍽️🪰Did you know that one group of hove

🍃🍽️🪰Did you know that one group of hoverflies obtains pollen almost without visiting flowers? For example, Xylota species rarely visit flowers, preferring to gather pollen from leaf surfaces.

#iucn #iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect #hoverflies #taxonomy #science #cuteillustration #mascot #diptera #pollination #pollinators #sciencefacts #infographic #pollen #xylota #HoverflyFacts

#HoverflyPaperAlert In this study, Merodon tarsa

#HoverflyPaperAlert

In this study, Merodon tarsatus species group is revised, providing an illustrated key to the species, a detailed discussion of relevant taxonomic characters, and a morphological diagnosis. Morphological characteristics of the 12 species in the M. tarsatus group, together with available distributional data, are summarized. Six new species are described: Merodon angustitarsis Vujić & Gilasian sp. nov., M. dumosus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov., M. latiantennatus Vujić, Popov & Prokhorov sp. nov., M. namaghijamii Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. , M. pakistanicus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov. and Merodon nigroalatus Vujić, Likov & Radenković sp. nov.
Furthermore, seven taxa of the M. tarsatus group are redefined and redescribed.

Congratulations to authors!

#iucn
#iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect
#hoverflies #taxonomy #science #scientificpaper #scientificjournal #newspecies #merodon

#HoverflyPaperAlert The Neotropical flower fly ge

#HoverflyPaperAlert

The Neotropical flower fly genus #Argentinomyia Lynch-Arribálzaga (Diptera: Syrphidae) is revised and rediagnosed. An updated key to the Neotropical genera of Bacchini and Melanostomini is provided. As a result of the ongoing systematic study of the genus, sixteen new species were discovered and described.

Congratulations to authors!

#iucn
#iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect
#hoverflies #taxonomy #science #scientificpaper #scientificjournal #zootaxa #neotropical #newspecies

#meetthehoverflies Caliprobola speciosa Today we

#meetthehoverflies Caliprobola speciosa

Today we bring you a story about one large Palearctic hoverfly - Caliprobola speciosa.

The Rossi described it initially under the name Syrphus speciosus 1790 from Italy.

The preferred environment of this species is deciduous and evergreen oak forest (especially Q. suber forest maintained for cork production) with overmature and senescent trees.

The flight period of this hoverfly is from May to mid-July, with the peak at the beginning of June. Males can be seen flying around, hovering between and settling close to the roots of senescent Castanea, Fagus or Quercus in the sun, settling on bare ground, on the sawdust of cut stumps, or vegetation (for example, Pteridium) in the vicinity.

The larvae are described based on larvae collected from wet, decaying roots of Fagus stumps. Interestingly, this species overwintering as a larva.

Caliprobola speciosa is listed as endangered or vulnerable in several European countries, however on the European level is listed as Least Concern.

Photo by Lieven Derick

#iucn #iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect #hoverflies #redlist #taxonomy #science #pollination #pollinators #diptera #Caliprobolaspeciosa #Caliprobola

#MeetTheHoverflies Doros profuges Today we will w

#MeetTheHoverflies Doros profuges

Today we will write about a large hoverfly resembling potter wasps - Doros profuges. Its strong petiolate abdomen, colouration, size and elusive flight habits can fool you at first glance. 🐝

Doros profuges was described by Harris 1780 as the Musca profuges. It is Palearctic species that prefer forest and shrubland. Adults appear in a short period at the end of May/June and on into July at higher elevations. This may be the reason why they have been named phantom hoverflies.

Interestingly, there are some indications that the larva is an ant commensal, probably with Lasius fuliginosus.

Doros profuges is listed as Least Concern in the European Red List of Hoverflies. However, in some countries, e.g. Germany, it is listed as a Highly Threatened. Further studies are needed, primarily related to larval preferences, because an accurate knowledge of larval biology is crucial to understand the requirements of D. profuges in nature and to propose effective conservation actions.

#iucn #iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect #hoverflies #redlist #taxonomy #science #pollination #pollinators #diptera #wasp #potterwasp #mimicry #ants #phantomhoverfly #doros #dorosprofuges

🎄⛄🎁 Thank you for helping decorate our tr

🎄⛄🎁

Thank you for helping decorate our tree!

Together we hang on:

🌸🌻🌼a lot o flowers for all pollinators,

🐛aphids for aphidophagous larvae,

🌰one onion for phytophagous larvae,

🌳one old tree trunk for saprophagous larvae,

🐜ant nest for Microdon larvae,

🍄one mushroom for Cheilosia larvae,

🌦️a sun ray and drops of rain for a stable environment and

🏨an insect hotel for all our friends 🐝🐞🦋🪲.

May the New Year bless you with health, wealth, and happiness!

Happy New Year! 🎊🎉

#iucn #iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect
#hoverflies #taxonomy #science #happynewyear

#HoverflyPaperAlert The end of the year brings us

#HoverflyPaperAlert
The end of the year brings us new research related to migratory Nearctic hoverflies.

The paper entitled Insights into natal origins of migratory Nearctic hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae): new evidence from stable isotope (δ2 H) assignment analyses by authors C. Scott Clem, Keith A. Hobson and Alexandra N. Harmon-Threatt was published in journal Ecography.

Congratulations to all authors!

#iucn
#iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect
#hoverflies #taxonomy #science #scientificpaper #scientificjournal #migration #insectmigration #migratoryinsects #migatroryhoverflies #nearctic

#HoverflyPaperAlert The exciting news is coming

#HoverflyPaperAlert

The exciting news is coming from China!

A new flower fly genus Biema is described!

The new species Biema wanglangensis is designated as a type-species.
Additionally, Biema qilianensis is described as new to science.

Congratulations to all authors!

#iucn
#iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect
#hoverflies #taxonomy #science #scientificpaper #scientificjournal #newspecies #newgenus #biema #china

So far, we have learned that there are three main

So far, we have learned that there are three main types of hoverfly larvae: #zoophagous, #phytophagous and #saprophagous.
🐛🌱🌰🪲🔬💧

Some eat aphids, some eat plant material, and some are aquatic, feeding with microorganisms and detritus by filtering the water.

However, the diversity of hoverfly larvae does not end here. Later we will write more about interesting larvae, like those living in ants or wasp nests.😮

But let's stop and look at this lovely pie chart.

❓Did you know that around half of all hoverfly larvae are saprophagous, 35% prey on phytophagous insects, whereas only 11% are phytophagous❓

#iucn #iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect #hoverflies #taxonomy #science #cuteillustration #mascot #diptera #pollination #pollinators #sciencefacts #infographic #piechart

#HoverflyPaperAlert 🆕Today brings us two new p

#HoverflyPaperAlert

🆕Today brings us two new papers dealing with hoverflies.
Enjoy reading 📖

#iucn
#iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect
#hoverflies #taxonomy #science #scientificpaper #scientificjournal #milesiacrabroniformis #cheilosia #milesia #cheilosiasoror #larva #pupa

#MeetTheHoverflies Katara connexa Today we presen

#MeetTheHoverflies Katara connexa

Today we present a hoverfly species based on which a new European genus is described (2018) after more than 30 years. The new genus Katara is named based on the type locality, an area between Katara pass and Kampos Despoti in Pindos Mountains, central Greece. Katara connexa prefers montane conifer forests of Pinus heldreichii/P. nigra pallasiana. Interestingly, this species can be found only at this single location, between 1350-1685 meters above sea level. Adults are active during May. The larval stage and host plant are unknown.

Until now, there are only 23 records. The population trend is considered stable, but due to a decline in habitat quality, it will likely decline in the future. The main threat to this species is unsustainable grazing. Although this area is protected, a lot of sheep and cattle graze in the meadows of the Pindos Mountains during late spring and summer. Tourism can also negatively affect the population, and fire is a potential future threat.

Katara connexa is listed as Critically Endangered in the European Red List of Hoverflies.

#iucn #iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect #hoverflies #redlist #taxonomy #science #pollination #pollinators #diptera #Katara #CriticallyEndangered #katarapass #grazing

#HoverflyPaperAlert 💼🪰🗺️ if you want to

#HoverflyPaperAlert
💼🪰🗺️
if you want to read more about the migratory species of hoverflies, see the latest publication entitled Autumnal migration patterns of hoverflies
(Diptera: Syrphidae): interannual
variability in timing and sex ratio
by Antonín Hlaváček, Radek K. Lučan and Jiří Hadrava.

#iucn
#iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect
#hoverflies #taxonomy #science #scientificpaper #scientificjournal #migration #insectmigration #migratoryinsects #migatroryhoverflies

#MeetTheHoverflies Cheilosia crassiseta

🪰💠🏔️
Today we present a mountain species from the genus #Cheilosia: Cheilosia crassiseta.
This species was described by Loew in 1859 based on one specimen from Dalmatia, Croatia.

As with many Cheilosia species, it is mostly black and lacks the bright colours and patterns characteristic of many hoverfly species.

This species is endemic to central and southeast European mountain regions. However, it has a severely fragmented distribution in low to high-mountain areas in Poland, the Alps (France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy), Slovakia, Slovenia and the Balkans.

It occurs from 980 to 2800 m.a.s.l. on open, unimproved, non-calcareous grasslands. You can see them fly from June up to July at higher altitudes.

Cheilosia crassiseta is listed as #Endangered in the European Red List of Hoverflies.

Photo by @tottamara14

#iucn #iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect #hoverflies #redlist #taxonomy #science #pollination #pollinators #diptera #Cheilosiacrassiseta

Did you know that some phytophagous hoverflies are

Did you know that some phytophagous hoverflies are considered pests, like Merodon equestris larvae which feed on the daffodil bulb?

#iucn #iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect #hoverflies #taxonomy #science #cuteillustration #mascot #diptera #pollination #pollinators #sciencefacts #infographic
#narcis
#daffodils #pest #larva #larvae #merodon #merodonequestris

#MeetTheHoverflies Didea alneti Didea alneti is c

#MeetTheHoverflies Didea alneti

Didea alneti is conspicuous hoverfly widely distributed in most forested boreal and temperate Holarctic region.

This hoverfly species stands out from the rest not only by its green-blue coloration but also by its mad flying skills. In syrphids, hovering is normally carried out with the long axis of the body more or less parallel to the ground surface, but D. alneti can hover at a strongly inclined angle, with its head high. Besides their high mobility, adults are vagrant and migratory.

Didea alneti is listed as Least Concern in the European Red List of Hoverflies.

Photo by Michael Knapp - https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/77324745 @inaturalistorg

#iucn #iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect #hoverflies #redlist #taxonomy #science #pollination #pollinators #diptera #didea #dideaalneti

#HoverflyPaperAlert 📰During November, several

#HoverflyPaperAlert

📰During November, several papers dealing with Syrphidae were published. There are new records, new species, molecular findings and ecological topics.

#iucn
#iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect
#hoverflies #taxonomy #science #scientificpaper #scientificjournal

#Saprophagous Eristalis larva loves organically po

#Saprophagous Eristalis larva loves organically polluted water so it is an important #bioindicator of water quality. They feed on #microorganisms and detritus by filtering the water. They are commonly known as ‘rat-tailed maggots’, due to their long posterior respiratory spiracle, which can be several times longer than the body.

#iucn #iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect #hoverflies #taxonomy #science #cuteillustration #mascot #diptera #pollination #pollinators #sciencefacts #rattailedmaggot
#eristalis
#eristalinus #larva #larvae #infographic

🪰🌸🌼 Adult hoverflies feed on pollen and n

🪰🌸🌼 Adult hoverflies feed on pollen and nectar. Some species, such as Episyrphus balteatus and Melanostoma scalare, feed primarily on pollen (more than 90% of diet). Whereas the diet of Rhingia campestris consists of up to 90% nectar.

🏵️Pollen is necessary for the reproductive system maturation of almost all hoverflies. Pollen also provides nitrogenous compounds for body repair, but compared to nectar, it is costly and time-consuming for digestion. Therefore, after sexual maturation, some males switch from pollen to nectar. 🌺Nectar is easily digested food and provides quick energy for flight. However, that sugar energy does not last long, so they must visit flowers more often.

An interesting fact is that hoverflies can store fats for, e.g. overwintering or migration.

#iucn #iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect #hoverflies #taxonomy #science #pollination #pollinators #diptera #pollen #nectar #diet #flowerflies

#MeetTheHoverflies Brachyopa 🐝✖️🪰Not

#MeetTheHoverflies Brachyopa

🐝✖️🪰Not all hoverflies are fans of mimicry, like the species from the genus Brachyopa. They have grey and brown colouration, and you will recognise them as Phaonia species rather than hoverflies, bees or wasps.

🌳🐛🌳🌳Their larva develops in exudations of tree sap or sap runs. 🪰Therefore, the adults are associated with sappy wounds of trees or freshly fallen trunks/logs in woodland and more open parkland.

💥There is one fascinating fact.💥 Hoverfly larvae prefer a humid environment, and dryness is the least tolerated environmental condition. In dry conditions, the larva will quickly desiccate and die.

💪However, Brachyopa larvae have an unusual response to dryness. As the flow of sap ends, larvae will move into sheltered spots in cervices under bits of loose bark. They will curl up and remain motionless. Even if they look dead ☠️, they can survive in such a state for months 🗓️.
Incredibly, they will revive quickly after a 💧drop or two💦 of the water.
❓So, you are probably asking what is the secret behind this larvae superpower. Brachyopa larvae have especially thick integument coated in blotches.

There are 20 Brachyopa species across Europe, of which six is Endangered, one Vulnerable and one Critically Endangered.

First photo Brachyopa scutellaris

Second and third photos Brachyopa insensilis

#iucn #iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect #hoverflies #redlist #taxonomy #science #pollination #pollinators #milesia #diptera #newspecies #Brachyopa #superpower #treetrunk
#larva
#larvae #endangeredspecies #vulnerablespecies #criticallyendangered

🐛🍽️🪲 ❓Did you know that one aphidopha

🐛🍽️🪲
❓Did you know that one aphidophagous hoverfly larva can eat up to 400 aphids during development?

#iucn #iucnhoverflysg #hoverfly #syrphidae #conservation #wildlife #insect #hoverflies #taxonomy #science #cuteillustration #mascot #diptera #pollination #pollinators #sciencefacts #episyrphusbalteatus
#marmeladehoverfly
#larvae #aphids #aphidophagous #zoophagous #infographic

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