The metallic blue fly, Axona chalcopyga (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Syrphidae) in Gelam Forests, new to Malaysia

Abstract

The ecological aspects, distribution, and possible conservation of a syrphid hoverfly, Axona chalcopyga (Wiedemann, 1839) is poorly known due to their rare records. Three female individuals of A. chalcopyga were discovered in the Gelam forests of Terengganu state, which is the first record in Peninsular Malaysia. Here, we provided a pictorial description of the female. We also noted the functional role of the hoverfly as a potential pollinator candidate for the Gelam trees by visiting its flowers.

Keywords

• bris ecosystem
• cajuput
• flower-visiting
• gelam
• hoverflies
• pollinator