Dasypogon diadema (Fabricius, 1781) is a new species of robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae) in the fauna of Belarus

Abstract

The information on the first discovery of the Robber flies Dasypogon diadema (Diptera: Asilidae) in Belarus is presented. The species was found in 2021 on the territory of the Polessky State Radiation-Ecological Reserve (PSRER, Gomel Region). Including this find, 41 species of Robber flies have been identified in Belarus to date. To the east of Poland, this registration is probably the most northerly point in eastern Europe. This became possible due to the rapid warming of the climate in recent decades and distinct aridization of the south-east of Belarus. The data on the current distribution, population dynamics and some aspects of the life cycle of D. diadema in Europe are summarized. On the territory of PSREC near the habitat of D. diadema, an elongated section with a length of more than 7 km was identified, which, according to biological features, is the most suitable for this Robber flies. It quite possible that the second species of the genus Dasypogon, D. diabolicus, may be found in the south regions of Belarus.