AbstractThe Diptera are the second most important order among flower-visiting (anthophilous) and flower-pollinating insects worldwide. Their taxonomic diversity ranges from Nematocera to Brachycera, including most families within the suborders. Especially important are Syrphidae, Bombyliidae, and Muscoidea. Other families, especially of small flies, are less appreciated and often overlooked for their associations with flowers. We have compiled records of their flower visitations to show that they may be more prevalent than usually thought. Our knowledge of anthophilous Diptera needs to be enhanced by future research concerning (i) the significance of nocturnal Nematocera and acalypterate muscoids as pollinators, (ii) the extent to which the relatively ineffective pollen-carrying ability of some taxa can be compensated by the abundance of individuals, and (iii) the role of Diptera as pollinators of the first flowering plants (Angiospermae) by using phylogenetic and palaeontological evidence. Specializations in floral relationships involve the morphology of Diptera, especially of their mouthparts, nutritional requirements, and behaviour, as well as concomitant floral attributes. The South African flora has the most highly specialized relations with dipterous pollinators, but in arctic and alpine generalist fly–flower relations are important in pollination and fly nutrition.
摘要双翅目昆虫是全世界访花(嗜蚁)昆虫和授粉昆虫中第二重要的目。双翅目昆虫在分类学上具有多样性,从线虫纲(Nematocera)到臂翅目(Brachycera),包括亚目中的大多数科。其中尤为重要的是蚜蝇科(Syrphidae)、蝇科(Bombyliidae)和麝科(Muscoidea)。其他科,尤其是小型苍蝇科,与花卉的关系较少受到重视,也经常被忽视。我们汇编了它们的访花记录,以显示它们可能比通常认为的更为普遍。我们对嗜粉双翅目昆虫的了解需要通过未来的研究来加强,这些研究涉及:(i)夜行蝇类(Nematocera)和螨类作为授粉者的重要性;(ii)某些类群相对较弱的花粉携带能力在多大程度上可以通过个体的丰富程度来弥补;以及(iii)通过使用系统发育和古生物学证据来研究双翅目昆虫作为最早开花植物(被子植物)授粉者的作用。花卉关系中的特化涉及双翅目昆虫的形态,尤其是其口器、营养需求和行为,以及相关的花卉属性。南非植物区系与双翅目传粉昆虫的关系最为专业化,但在北极和高山地区,普通苍蝇与花卉的关系在传粉和苍蝇营养方面也很重要。