Saproxylic breeding sites for hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae): from artificial design to natural habitat management

Abstract

This paper introduces the importance of veteran trees, tree related microhabitats (TreMs) and their associated hoverfly (Diptera, Syrphidae) fauna. A broader perspective of creating larval habitat is discussed, based on published and novel insights. It focuses on hoverflies that specialise on veteran trees and reflects upon protection and management regimes to conserve veteran trees, TreMs and associated woody habitats. The lack of veteran trees breeding sites can be resolved by tree veteranisation or by using artificial breeding boxes. Whilst protection of veteran trees is essential, enhancement of open areas with flower resources is also vitally important for the survival of saproxylic hoverflies. The larval and adult ecology of only three out of the 134 known European saproxylic species are properly understood. Thus several suggestions are offered for future research aimed at a thorough understanding of the natural history of this unknown and ecologically relevant group of species. The list includes faunistic surveys and investigations into population dynamics, dispersal capacity and habitat preferences. Alongside this research there is a need to investigate the creation of breeding sites including veteranisation techniques and the use of breeding boxes.