Habitat Exploration and Foraging in a Dominant Hover Fly (Melangyna) is Sex-Dependent

Distinct behaviours between males and females within the same species can promote differences in the use of resources between sexes, which can have profound consequences on ecosystem processes, such as pollination. Despite this, studies on floral visitation often focus on the relationships between floral visitors and plants at the species level, neglecting the intraspecific differences between male and female insect floral visitors. This study investigates intraspecific differences in the use of floral resources by male and female Melangyna, a dominant group of hover flies. Our year-long observations reveal distinct behaviours in hovering and foraging between the sexes and among the seasons. We also present evidence of sexual dimorphism, with males being larger than females. These behavioural and physical differences lead to distinct use of floral resources by each sex, which could have significant implications for plant reproduction. Our findings underscore the need to consider intraspecific sexual differences in future studies on floral visitation and pollination.