New Hoverfly species

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Conservation

Why in News?

Recently, researchers at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered two new species of hoverflies in the Gangetic Plains of West Bengal.

Scientific name - Eristalinus sapphirinus and Eristalinus brunettii.
Family – Syrphidae.
Genus – Eristalinus, last major contribution to this genus was recorded in 1923.
Key Differences & Features

Eristalinus sapphirinus

Males are distinguished by a head that strongly tapers toward the vertex, as well as a specific appendix on the loop of the R₄₊₅ wing vein.

Eristalinus brunettii

Named in honor of the renowned entomologist Enrico Adelelmo Brunetti, who made immense contributions to the historical study of Indian flies.

While initially resembling the related species Eristalinus polychromata, it was confirmed as a distinct evolutionary lineage.

New Hoverfly Species

Methodology and Ecological Role
- Taxonomic Approach - The research team used an integrative approach, combining traditional morphological identification with advanced mitochondrial COI DNA barcoding to officially distinguish the species.
- Ecological Importance - Hoverflies are vital ecological components.
- Adult flies are critical pollinators that visit flowering plants, while their larvae live in aquatic habitats and help decompose organic matter.

Reference