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Simple Summary: Hoverflies, also known as flower flies, are a highly diverse group of two-winged flies with more than 6000 known species worldwide. This group of insects plays an important role in ecosystems, providing services such as plant pollination and pest control, among others. Regarding Eumerus, this hoverfly genus is one of the most speciose in the Palaearctic region, where new species are continually being discovered. Nevertheless, the great morphological variability of some species makes their identification and classification difficult. Therefore, the main aim of the present work was to assess the variability of the species of the Eumerus barbarus group in the western Mediterranean area under an integrative study (i.e., combining different techniques and data sources). We found high levels of morphological and genetic variability in two species of this group. Based on our findings, we described a new species from the island of Sardinia and provided the most comprehensive identification key for the males of this Eumerus species group from the western Mediterranean. Comprising nearly 300 described species, Eumerus Meigen, 1822, is one of the most speciose syrphid genera worldwide, and its taxonomic diversity is remarkable in the Mediterranean basin. The Eumerus barbarus (Coquebert, 1804) group consists of four species in the western Mediterranean. Although the phenotypic variability of this species group has been commented on in previous studies, it has never been contrasted with molecular data. In the present work, the morphological variation found in 300+ specimens of this species group from the western Mediterranean is explored and tested against the COI mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The highest phenotypic disparity was found in E. barbarus and Eumerus sulcitibius Rondani 1868. The integrative approach has not revealed cryptic diversity within the species E. barbarus but in E. sulcitibius. As a result, a new species close to E. sulcitibius was discovered, Eumerus sardus Aguado-Aranda, Ricarte & Hauser sp. n., from Sardinia, Italy. The new insular species is here described, illustrated, and discussed. A total of twenty-three haplotypes of COI mtDNA were identified amongst the analyzed Mediterranean specimens of E. barbarus, whereas two and five haplotypes were distinguished in the Iberian specimens of E. sulcitibius and Eumerus gibbosus van Steenis, Hauser & van Zuijen, 2017, respectively. Moreover, the first known barcodes of E. gibbosus and Eumerus schmideggeri van Steenis, Hauser & van Zuijen, 2017 were obtained, and the distribution ranges of all species are mapped. An updated dichotomous key to the males of the E. barbarus group from the western Mediterranean is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species of the Eumerus barbarus group from the western parts of the Mediterranean Basin are revised. Two species new to science are described, i.e. Eumerus gibbosus sp. n. (from Portugal and Spain) and Eumerus schmideggeri sp. n. (from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia). The other two species included in this group are Eumerus barbarus (Coquebert, 1804) and Eumerus sulcitibius Rondani, 1868. A neotype is designated for E. barbarus and we also designated a lectotype for Eumerus iris Loew, 1848. All species are figured, their synonyms are reviewed and an identification key is presented. Eumerus truncatus Rondani, 1868 is withdrawn from synonymy with E. barbarus and considered a bona species; additionally, this species is recorded from Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia for the first time. A short discussion on the value of the Mediterranean Basin as biodiversity hotspot for hoverflies is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprising nearly 300 described species, Eumerus Meigen, 1822, is one of the most speciose syrphid genera worldwide, and its taxonomic diversity is remarkable in the Mediterranean basin. The Eumerus barbarus (Coquebert, 1804) group consists of four species in the western Mediterranean. Although the phenotypic variability of this species group has been commented on in previous studies, it has never been contrasted with molecular data. In the present work, the morphological variation found in 300+ specimens of this species group from the western Mediterranean is explored and tested against the COI mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The highest phenotypic disparity was found in E. barbarus and Eumerus sulcitibius Rondani 1868. The integrative approach has not revealed cryptic diversity within the species E. barbarus but in E. sulcitibius. As a result, a new species close to E. sulcitibius was discovered, Eumerus sardus Aguado-Aranda, Ricarte & Hauser sp. n., from Sardinia, Italy. The new insular species is here described, illustrated, and discussed. A total of twenty-three haplotypes of COI mtDNA were identified amongst the analyzed Mediterranean specimens of E. barbarus, whereas two and five haplotypes were distinguished in the Iberian specimens of E. sulcitibius and Eumerus gibbosus van Steenis, Hauser & van Zuijen, 2017, respectively. Moreover, the first known barcodes of E. gibbosus and Eumerus schmideggeri van Steenis, Hauser & van Zuijen, 2017 were obtained, and the distribution ranges of all species are mapped. An updated dichotomous key to the males of the E. barbarus group from the western Mediterranean is provided.

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Copyright of R.A.R.E - Association Roussillonnaise d'Entomologie is the property of Association Roussillonnaise d Entomologie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The influence of the synthetic pyrethroid insecticide alpha-cypermethrin on the structure of syrphid coenosis was assessed in a field experiment. A significant influence on the number of species was noticed and a lesser influence upon the species composition of the syrphid coenosis. The effect of the chemical mixture on the population density of the distinct species differed in intensity but only on the first day could the effect of the insecticide be shown with regard to number complex before and after treatment. The total average density, defined as the result of all densities of the distinct species of syrphid flies was most highly affected on the first day after the treatment. At that time the estimated density was half than the level before the application of the insecticide. The effect of the insecticide treatment was manifested upon both the composition of complexes of dominant species and the general dominant structure of the syrphid coenosis. The parameters examined for species structure: Simpson's index of concentration of domination (D), Shannon-Weaver's index of total diversity (H) and Margalef s index of species abundance (d) showed that the insecticide treatment exerts an unfavourable but not strong influence upon the syrphid coenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]