Ground-cover vegetation composition shapes the abundance of Sphaerophoria scripta (Diptera: Syrphidae) in Mediterranean olive groves.

ABSTRACT: The ground-cover vegetation, commonly found in olive groves, provides shelter and vital floral resources for syrphids. Such resources can contribute to syrphids' growth, development, reproduction, and survival, allowing them to maximize their function as natural pest enemies, pollinators, and decomposers of organic matter. Therefore, identifying the flowering plant families driving the abundance of Sphaerophoria scripta Linnaeus, 1758, is essential to promote its presence and abundance. Here, we described the flowering plants present in the vegetation cover of olive groves and studied how these flowering plant families shape the abundance of S. scripta. A total of 90 plant species belonging to 20 families were identified. Asteraceae was the dominant flowering family, followed by Poaceae. T

SUBMITTER: Madureira M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11604070 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature