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Title: Pollinating flies (Diptera): A major contribution to plant diversity and agricultural production

Author
item SSYMANK, ALEX - NATURE CONSERVATION, GER.
item KEARNS, C. - UNIV. OF COLORADO
item DANISH, PAPE - NMNH, COPENHAGEN
item Thompson, F

Submitted to: Biodiversity Issues
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/31/2008
Publication Date: 4/29/2008
Citation: Ssymank, A., Kearns, C., Danish, P.T., Thompson, F.C. 2008. Pollinating flies (Diptera): A major contribution to plant diversity and agricultural production. Biodiversity Issues. 9: 86-89.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Diptera are one of the three largest and most diverse animal groups of the world. As an often neglected, but important group of pollinators, they play a significant role in agrobiodiversity and biodiversity of plants everywhere. Flies are present in almost all habitats and biomes and for many food plants, medical plants and ornamental plants, pollinating flies guarantee or enhance seed and fruit production. They are important in the natural landscape, in agriculture and in greenhouses, and have recently come into use in the production of seeds for seed banks. The São Paulo Pollinator Initiative, the CBD, and Pollinator Secretariats were important starting points in the international recognition of pollinator importance. However, large gaps in our knowledge of the role of Diptera in pollination networks need to be addressed in order to sustain agriculture and to enable appropriate responses to climate change. At this 9th Conference of Parties, we would like to draw attention to the role of often-neglected Dipteran pollinators, to stress their current importance and potential future use as pollinators in agriculture. A case study on flower flies that act as important pollinators as adults and major biocontrol agents as larvae illustrates their double importance for agriculture.