Composition and Seasonal Abundance of Hover Flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) at a Midelevation Site in Central Utah

Abstract

Abstract Dipteran pollinators are important in the successful reproduction of many plants, yet are less studied than other groups. We know that these insects affect the biodiversity of natural landscapes, yet much remains unknown about the extent of their influence in pollination systems and flight seasons. In this study, we collected hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) with 3 Malaise traps at a midelevation site in central Utah throughout the flies' flight season of 2015. We collected 27 genera and 48 species in our traps. We determined seasonal flight times by collecting at weekly intervals throughout the frost-free year. Abundance of all hover flies peaked twice, in June and September, showing a bimodal distribution. We noted a drop in overall abundance during the hottest months of July and August. Species diversity and richness also peaked in June and September. We calculated species richness estimators, which suggest that more than 60 species make up the total assemblage at the study site. Local museum ...