Hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) in protected areas of Greece

Abstract

: Greece hosts a highly diverse hoverfly fauna. The high diversity in this area arises primarily due to its position in the Mediterranean region, which is located at the junction of Europe, Asia and Africa and acts as a transition zone between three major bio- geographic regions. Sites with the richest hoverfly fauna in Greece are mostly protected. Species richness in selected protected areas were estimated using biodiversity indices. Accord- ing to the results, the most important categories for conservation and survival of hoverfly populations in Greece are national parks and Ramsar sites.