Updated checklist of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) from the Sicily Channel Islands, with new records from Pantelleria and Linosa

Abstract

Despite the increasing interest in pollinators, the knowledge of hoverfly fauna (Diptera: Syrphidae) from Pantelleria and the Pelagian Islands remains fragmentary. Previous data refers only to Lampedusa and Linosa. This paper reports results of the first surveys of Syrphidae from Pantelleria Island, conducted in the framework of the “Isola di Pantelleria” National Park Pollinator Biodiversity Conservation Project. A total of 114 specimens, belonging to 23 species, were collected. Among them, 22 species are recorded for Pantelleria, while the known Syrphidae fauna of the Pelagian Islands is further enriched by the new record of Eumerus obliquus (Fabricius, 1805) from Linosa. An updated checklist of hoverflies from Pantelleria and the Pelagian Islands is provided, including a total number of 33 species, of which 7 not previously recorded. Including records from Malta, three species are newly recorded for the entire Sicily Channel. These findings enhance our understanding of hoverflies distribution in the Mediterranean Basin and highlight the ecological importance of island habitats for pollinators’ diversity and related ecosystem services.