First Report of the Bee Fly Eurycarenus dichopticus Bezzi (Diptera: Bombyliidae) in North Kordofan State, Sudan

Sudan’s semi-arid land constitutes a diversity of habitats, species, and genetic resources of high ecological and economic value. This diversity is gradually degrading due to climate change and human misuse. Biodiversity monitoring began in Sudan before independence when a considerable number of flora and fauna species were identified. Insects were among the identified fauna where many orders, families, and species were classified especially those of economic, medicinal, and veterinary importance. Bombyliidae or bee flies are considered native to African countries and confined to the semi-arid ecosystem as pollinators of higher plants. The bee fly, Eurycarenus dichopticus recorded from these ecosystems, has gained little attention, and meager data on its biology and reproduction have been published. Adults of this insect are nectar feeders, and females also feed on pollen grains while larvae are parasitoids on certain insects. This study was conducted in three Sudanese states that lie within the semi-arid ecosystem; Khartoum, Gezira, and North Kordofan. Field surveys were conducted in these states and insect fauna was obtained and identified. Bee fly specimens were collected from North Kordofan using the butterfly net method. The specimens were then preserved and sent to the Agricultural Research Corporation ARC in (2020) where they were identified as Eurycarenus dichopticus Bezzi (Diptera: Bombyliidae) which is the first report in North Kordofan. This identification may contribute to the understanding of its ecological significance and role.