Understanding the biology, ecology, and conservation of Nearctic hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) is a severely understudied, yet enormously significant area of research. The adult stages of most hover fly species are important pollinators for a variety of crop and non-crop plant species while many larvae are crucial biological control agents of soft-bodied pests like aphids. In recent studies using stable isotope analysis (δ2H), we discovered that certain Nearctic species engage in long-distance seasonal migration, moving from southern Canada to the southeastern United States. In this presentation, I will discuss results from our efforts to expand up this previous research, examining evidence of long-distance gene flow among hover fly populations across eastern North America. A secondary analysis examines microbial community makeup, and convergence/divergence of these communities across hover fly populations. I will also briefly discuss efforts to identify, digitize, and catalog hover flies in museum collections in Illinois and Georgia, and establish a list of species that are of potential conservation concern.
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