Distribution of Syrphidae (Diptera) across northern Ontario

Syrphids (Diptera: Syrphidae) are a diverse and widespread family of pollinating flies. Their diverse life history traits not only allow them to thrive in a wide range of habitats but also make them potential bioindicators of environmental change. Here, we report on their distributions from a previously understudied and undeveloped part of northern Ontario that is a large part of the third-largest wetland in the world. Samples were collected from across the region between 2009 and 2016, using numerous sampling methods. Of the 122 species identified from 1514 specimens, six are new provincial records to Ontario. Five species were collected over 800 km from their previously known ranges, some of which were west of the Rocky Mountains. Of all the trapping methods employed in the study, Malaise traps were found to be the most effective at catching syrphid species. This work updates known range and provincial records for more than 100 species of syrphids, bringing into clearer focus their distribution throughout this region.