Data from: Floral resource partitioning by individuals within generalised hoverfly pollination networks revealed by DNA metabarcoding

Pollination is a key ecosystem service for agriculture and wider ecosystem
function. However, most pollination studies focus on Hymenoptera, with
hoverflies (Syrphidae) frequently treated as a single functional group. We
tested this assumption by investigating pollen carried by eleven species
of hoverfly in five genera, Cheilosia, Eristalis, Rhingia, Sericomyia and
Volucella, using DNA metabarcoding. Hoverflies carried pollen from 59
plant taxa, suggesting they visit a wider number of plant species than
previously appreciated. Most pollen recorded came from plant taxa
frequently found at our study sites, predominantly Apiaceae, Cardueae,
Calluna vulgaris, Rubus fruticosus agg., and Succisa pratensis, with
hoverflies transporting pollen from 40% of entomophilous plant species
present. Overall pollen transport network structures were generalised,
similar to other pollination networks elsewhere. All hoverfly species were
also generalised with few exclusive plant/hoverfly interactions. However,
using the Jaccard Index, we found significant differences in the relative
composition of pollen loads between hoverfly genera, except for Volucella,
demonstrating some degree of functional complementarity. Eristalis and
Sericomyia species had significant differences in relative pollen load
composition compared to congeners. Our results demonstrate the range of
pollens transported by hoverflies and the potential pollination function
undertaken within this ecologically and morphologically diverse guild.