Comparison of the pollen content on the body and in the gut of hoverflies (Diptera, Syrphidae)

Abstract

We analyzed the pollen content in the gut and on the body of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae), mostly from three genera (Eristalis, Syrphus s. l., and Sphaerophoria) that visited flowers of two jointly flowering species of Apiaceae with indistinguishable pollen (Anthriscus sylvestris and Aegopodium podagraria) and of Bunias orientalis (Brassicaceae). Pollen compositions depended on the plant from which the flies were collected rather than on the insect genus. At the same time, individual preferences of the studied flies to food plant species were confirmed. The pollen compositions in the gut and on the body were weakly correlated. Two possible reasons for such a weak correlation are discussed: individual differences in the fly feeding habits and different time of pollen preservation in the gut and on the body.