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Natura Croatica Issue number: Natura Croatica, Vol. 30 No.2

The first record of the peacock fly Callopistromyia annulipes Macquart, 1855 (Diptera: Ulidiidae) in Croatia revealed by social media

Authors: Niko Kasalo, Martina Topić, Anita Tarandek

Authors and affiliation

  • Niko Kasalo University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
  • Martina Topić University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
  • Anita Tarandek University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

In Europe Callopistromyia annulipes (Macquart, 1855) is an alien species. It was introduced from North America in 2007 and has spread to more than ten European countries. The spread of the species has been observed since 2007 and the trend is still continuing, the species having recently been found in Croatia. Using social networks such as Facebook and iNaturalist, we can spot the spread of alien species to new areas, learn more about their ecology and speculate on the direction of potential expansion. Citizen science is an excellent tool for obtaining new knowledge, but as of today, its potentials are greatly underutilized.

Keywords

social media, citizen science, biodiversity, introduced species

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