Pollinators in New Zealand

Syrphid flies

Small striped fly 01

There are more than 40 species of Syrphid flies in New Zealand.[1] As is the case outside of New Zealand, the family is extremely variable, ranging from large, bulky, and hairy to the small, slender, and shiny. These flies are found in a variety of habitats including agricultural fields and alpine zones. Two hoverfly species in Switzerland are being investigated for introduction as biological control agents of hawkweeds in New Zealand.[2]

Syrphid flies, in particular the native species Melanostoma fasciatum and Melangyna novaezelandiae, are common on agricultural fields in New Zealand.[3] Coriander and tansy leaf are known to be particularly attractive to many species of adult hoverflies which feed on large quantities of pollen of these plants.[4] In organic paddocks hoverflies were found to feed on an average of three and a maximum of six different pollen types. M. fasciatum has a short proboscis which restricts it to obtaining nectar from disk flowers.[5]

Syrphid flies are also common visitors to flowers in alpine zones in New Zealand. Native flies (Allograpta and Platycheirus) in alpine zones show preferences for flower species based on their colour in alpine zones; syrphid flies consistently choose yellow flowers over white regardless of species.[6] However, syrphid flies are not as effective pollinators of alpine herb species as native solitary bees.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Diptera: Syrphidae". Landcare Research. Retrieved 2013-08-30.
  2. ↑ Grosskopf, Gitta (2005). "Biology and life history of Cheliosia urbana (Meigen) and Cheilosia psilophthalma (Becker), two sympatric hoverflies approved for the biological control of hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.) in New Zealand.". Biological Control 35: 142–154. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2005.06.013.
  3. ↑ Morris, Michael, C. (2000). "Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) "companion plants" can attract hover flies, and may reduce infestation in cabbages.". New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science 28: 213–217. doi:10.1080/01140671.2000.9514141.
  4. ↑ Hickman, Janice, M.; Lovei, G. L.; Wratten, S. D. (1995). "Pollen feeding by adults of the hoverfly Melanostoma fasciatum (Diptera: Syrphidae).". New Zealand Journal of Zoology 22: 387–392. doi:10.1080/03014223.1995.9518057.
  5. ↑ Holloway, Beverley, A. (1976). "Pollen-feeding in hover-flies (Diptera:Syrphidae).". New Zealand Journal of Ecology 3 (4): 339–350. doi:10.1080/03014223.1976.9517924.
  6. ↑ Campbell, Diane; Bischoff, M.; Lord, J. M.; Robertson, A. W. (2010). "Flower color influences insect visitation in alpine New Zealand.". Ecology 91 (9): 2638–2649. doi:10.1890/09-0941.1.
  7. ↑ Bischoff, Mascha; Campbell, D. R.; Lord, J. M.; Robertson, A. W. (2013). "The relative importance of solitary bees and syrphid flies as pollinators of two outcrossing plant species in the New Zealand alpine.". Austral Ecology 38: 169–176. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.2012.02389.x.
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