The Effects of Collection Methods on Species Diversity of Family Syrphidae (Diptera) in Neyshabur, Iran

A faunistic list of Syrphidae sampled in the agroecosystems of Neyshabur (Khorasan-Razavi Province) through Malaise, yellow water traps and hand net is hereby presented for the first time. A total of ۲۲ species were collected, including ۱۳ species through Malaise trap, ۵ through yellow water trap as well as representatives of all species sampled through hand net. Among the species collected, ۸ including phytophagous ones were exclusively sampled through hand net. In the case of Malaise trap the hover fly population was strongly dominated (۷۳%) by ۳ common species of: Sphaerophoria scripta, Episyrphus balteatus, and Eupeodes corollae while, in the yellow water trap, Episyrphus balteatus was the key species representing about ۴۵% of all specimens. Shannon-Weiner index of biodiversity found out for Malaise trap (H= ۱.۸۶) was higher than that calculated for yellow water trap (H= ۱.۳۹). The relative efficiency of the three collection methods is discussed.

Keywords:

Biodiversity , Hand net , Hover flies , Malaise trap , Yellow water trap