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7 new insect species found in the Maritimes

7 new insect species found in the Maritimes

A two-year study conducted by scientists at the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre in Sackville found seven pollinators, never before recorded in the Maritimes.

The survey was conducted in southwestern Nova Scotia to document species of bee (Apoidea) and flower fly (Syrphidae).

John Klymko, a zoologist at the centre, who led the study, said the project was important because of the lack of information about pollinators in the region.

"One problem with ... our understanding of pollinators, in general is there hasn't been a lot of base line survey work. So, while these are new records for Nova Scotia, many of these species may well occur in New Brunswick," Klymko said.

"But without baseline surveys, we don't know what species are here and it would be impossible to know what species we've lost."

Samples were collected by volunteers and scientists by hand and with pan traps and from bug traps called Malaise traps.

Klymko spent the fall and winter compiling a report, while sifting through 1,009 flower flies and 978 bee specimens.

Sean Blaney the executive director at the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre, said this study helps scientists to understand what is happening in the Maritimes.

"If we don't even have a starting point towards what was here before impacts, we can't figure out what our impacts are. There's a lot we don't know. Most of the landscape in the Maritimes has never been intensively looked at," he said.

Both scientists agree the study will help dictate conservation statuses. It is impossible for scientists to determine what species are rare or at risk, if they haven't been studied.

The following flower flies are the pollinators are newly discovered in the Maritimes:

- Chalcosyrphus anomalus: The sample was collected in the Malaise trap in a treed pen near Pleasantfield. In Canada, it is known to be in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba.

- Heringia intensica: Previously known only in Ontario and only from a few specimens. A single specimen was collected at Bowers Meadows.

- Microdon megalogaster: This species was collected in the Malaise trap in a Corema barren near Middle Ohio. In Canada, it is known to be in Quebec and Ontario.

- Parasyrphus semiinterruptus: Collected at two sites during the survey. It is widespread in Canada.

- Teuchocnemis lituratus: Collected in the Malaise trap in a Corema barren near Middle Ohio. In Canada, it is known to be in Quebec and Ontario.

- Xylota angustiventris: Collected in the Malaise trap at Cameron Lake. In Canada, it is known to be in Ontario and Quebec.

- Xylota flukei: Collected in the Malaise trap in a Corema barren near Middle Ohio. In Canada, it is known to be in Quebec and Ontario.