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Trait Dataset for 3,000 European Wild Bee and Hoverfly Species
Marija Miličić1, Ahlam Sentil2,3, Jelena Ačanski4
1University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute - Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, Novi Sad, Serbia. marija.milicic@biosense.rs.
Scientific Data
|June 2, 2026
Summary
Declining wild bee and hoverfly populations in Europe necessitate new monitoring approaches. A compiled trait database for 3,052 species offers a cost-effective way to track functional groups and inform conservation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Entomology
Background:
- Wild bees and hoverflies are crucial European pollinators facing population declines.
- Current species-level monitoring is challenging and resource-intensive.
- A lack of centralized trait data hinders the evaluation of functional group trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compile a comprehensive dataset of traits for European wild bees and hoverflies.
- To facilitate a shift from species-level to functional group monitoring.
- To support research on pollinator ecology and conservation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Data compilation from literature reviews, experimental studies, and expert knowledge.
- Inclusion of 18 shared traits and group-specific traits for 3,052 species.
- Dataset covers nesting ecology, larval biology, adult morphology, behavior, and distribution.
Main Results:
- A unified dataset of traits for 2,139 wild bee and 913 hoverfly species was created.
- The dataset encompasses a wide range of ecological and morphological traits.
- Facilitates comparative analyses across functional groups.
Conclusions:
- The new trait database provides a foundation for understanding pollinator functional diversity.
- Enables more efficient monitoring of pollinator health and trends in Europe.
- Aims to guide targeted conservation actions for these vital insect groups.
