A new species of hoverflies discovered online thanks to amateur naturalist

It is estimated that nearly 8 million species of plants, fungi and animals still await discovery. But how are these unknown species found? While the expertise of taxonomists remains essential, amateur naturalist networks and citizen science platforms are now playing an increasingly important role. A striking example is this hoverfly, selected as the “New Species of the Year 2026” by the Swiss Systematics Society.

Unknown on the internet for years

The story began in the Dominican Republic, where insect enthusiasts shared photographs on the online platform iNaturalist. One image caught the attention of an entomologist, who noticed the fly’s unusual morphology. The observation quickly circulated among specialists. No one knew what kind of species it was. Eventually, during a field expedition in Valle Nuevo National Park, a specimen was caught in a light trap. Laboratory analyses at the University of Lausanne confirmed that it was a previously unknown species. The researchers have now scientifically described it and named it Monoceromyia ndidiae.

Disguised as a wasp

This species belongs to the hoverfly family, many of which mimic wasps through their yellow and orange coloration. This disguise helps protect them from predators, even though hoverflies are completely harmless and cannot sting.

Around 500 hoverfly species are known in Switzerland. Beyond their fascinating appearance, they are highly beneficial insects: the larvae of many species feed on aphids, while adults are important pollinators. Hoverflies are also excellent indicators of ecosystem health, making them valuable allies for biodiversity conservation.

Mengual, X., Hodecek, J., Dankowicz, Z. R., & Schusteff, A. (2025). A new species of the wasp mimic flower fly genus Monoceromyia Shannon, 1922 (Diptera: Syrphidae) from the Dominican Republic. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 127(1), 70–83