bergknappflue
Cheilosia semifasciata
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheilosia_semifasciata
Overview
The bergknappflue (Cheilosia semifasciata) is a distinctive hoverfly species characterized by its metallic bronze-green coloration and semi-banded abdomen markings. This specialized pollinator plays a crucial ecological role in alpine and subalpine ecosystems, particularly in the pollination of mountain wildflowers and maintaining genetic diversity in isolated plant populations.
The bergknappflue (Cheilosia semifasciata) is critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized alpine and subalpine environments. Climate change poses an additional severe threat by altering the temperature and precipitation patterns of high-altitude ecosystems where this hoverfly species depends on specific host plants and microhabitats.
Habitat
Cheilosia semifasciata inhabits high-altitude meadows and rocky slopes in mountainous regions, typically found between 1,500-2,800 meters elevation where it depends on specific alpine flowering plants. The species requires undisturbed montane grasslands with abundant native wildflowers and is particularly associated with areas featuring natural rock outcrops and scree slopes.
Other threatened species in Syrphidae
Threatened in Åland Islands
Frequently asked questions
Why is bergknappflue classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does bergknappflue live?
What are the main threats to bergknappflue?
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