Flies and flowers: taxonomic diversity of anthophiles and pollinators
Top Cited Papers
- 1 August 2001
- journal article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in The Canadian Entomologist
- Vol. 133 (4), 439-465
- https://doi.org/10.4039/ent133439-4
Abstract
The Diptera are the second most important order among flower-visiting (anthophilous) and flower-pollinating insects worldwide. Their taxonomic diversity ranges from Nematocera to Brachycera, including most families within the suborders. Especially important are Syrphidae, Bombyliidae, and Muscoidea. Other families, especially of small flies, are less appreciated and often overlooked for their associations with flowers. We have compiled records of their flower visitations to show that they may be more prevalent than usually thought. Our knowledge of anthophilous Diptera needs to be enhanced by future research concerning (i) the significance of nocturnal Nematocera and acalypterate muscoids as pollinators, (ii) the extent to which the relatively ineffective pollen-carrying ability of some taxa can be compensated by the abundance of individuals, and (iii) the role of Diptera as pollinators of the first flowering plants (Angiospermae) by using phylogenetic and palaeontological evidence. Specializations in floral relationships involve the morphology of Diptera, especially of their mouthparts, nutritional requirements, and behaviour, as well as concomitant floral attributes. The South African flora has the most highly specialized relations with dipterous pollinators, but in arctic and alpine generalist fly–flower relations are important in pollination and fly nutrition.Keywords
This publication has 134 references indexed in Scilit:
- Sugar-meal sources used by female black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae): a four-habitat studyCanadian Journal of Zoology, 1997
- Floral Biology of Heterotropa tamaensis (Aristolochiaceae) in JapanPlant Species Biology, 1988
- Insect Visitors to Two Forms of Aristolochia pilosa in Las Cumbres, PanamaBiotropica, 1986
- Pollination ofPlectranthus vestitus (Lamiaceae) by trap-lining hovering bees in MadagascarÖsterreichische botanische Zeitschrift, 1985
- Onion pollination by blowflies and honeybees in large cagesAnnals of Applied Biology, 1983
- Community Studies in Pollination Ecology in the High Temperate Andes of Central Chile. I. Pollination Mechanisms and Altitudinal VariationAmerican Journal of Botany, 1982
- THE POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF EPIPACTIS CONSIMILIS DON (ORCHIDACEAE) IN ISRAELNew Phytologist, 1977
- Flowers, insects, and pollination ecology in the Canadian high ArcticPolar Record, 1973
- Mosquito Pollination of Habenaria obtusata (Orchidaceae)American Journal of Botany, 1969
- Bee‐Fly Pollination of Penstemon ambiguusEcology, 1963