Faunistic study of bee flies (Dip.: Bombyliidae) in some parts of northern west of Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz

2 1 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz

3 Krekelberg, 149, 2940 Hoevenen, Belgium, Unaffiliated, Hoevenen, Belgium

4 Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The Bombyliidae family, commonly known as bee flies, is among the most species-rich families within Diptera. Despite their ecological importance as pollinators and parasitoids, their regional biodiversity remains poorly documented. This study presents new faunistic record of Bombyliidae from northern west of Iran. Field collections were conducted in May and July of 2021 and 2022, supplemented by the examination of archived specimens collected between 2006 and 2021. In total, 12 species were identified, which belonged to eight genera and five subfamilies: Thyridanthrax perspicillaris; T. elegans; Bombylella atra; Phthiria gaedei; P. vagans; Chalcochiton holosericeus; C. pallasi; Lomatia abbreviate; Heteralonia megerlei; Hemipenthes velutina; Exoprosopa altaica and E. pandora. Notably, the species E. pandora is recorded for the first time in Iran. These findings contribute to a recognition of Bombyliidae diversity in the region and provide essential baseline data for future ecological and taxonomic studies.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Applied Research in Plant Protection
Volume 14, Issue 1
March 2025
Pages 49-55

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History

  • Receive Date: 17 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 12 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 27 April 2025

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