Endangered palsa mire hoverflies (Diptera, Syrphidae) in northern Sweden

Abstract

The hoverfly species Platycheirus torei Barkalov, 2013 is recorded from Europe for the first time. It was collected in a palsa mire in Seitajaure, northern Sweden, representing a westward extension of its potential range by 3,500 km. The properties of the palsa mire at Seitajaure are described and a list of additional hoverfly species recorded there is provided. A differential diagnosis of Platycheirus torei is provided, with all cited characters illustrated in the accompanying illustrations. An extensive discussion is given on palsa mires, with special attention to their predicted loss due to climate change, and the potential risk that represents for hoverfly species that depend on palsa mires for their survival in Europe.

Keywords

• climate change
• europe
• fauna novum
• habitat loss
• iucn red list
• platycheirus torei