Capacity Building in Pollinator Taxonomy EC-ENV/2024/OP/0009-PIN

Capacity Building in Pollinator Taxonomy – Lot 2: Capacity building in hoverfly (Syrphidae) para-taxonomy (EPIC-Fly)

EPIC-Fly is one part of the larger consortium on capacity building in taxonomy of European pollinator species, specifically for wild bees (Apoidea), hoverflies (Syrphidae) and butterfies (Papilionoidea) (total budget 1 100 000 EUR). The objective of this two-year EU funded Service contract is to strengthen para-taxonomic capacity in all EU Member States with regard to support the preparation for a timely implementation of the EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (EU-PoMS). At the moment, there is a shortage of such capacity in the Member States. The main objective of the contract is to pilot and organize training activities for Apoidea and Syrphidae, EPIC-Bee and EPIC-Fly, that will enable a critical mass of experts to identify hoverfly pollinators to species level.
The EPIC-Fly training courses in hoverfly identification are organized according to four regions in Europe. Finland (UH, FMNH Luomus, Gunilla Ståhls-Mäkelä) coordinates the training activities for the Northern region, which includes Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia and Sweden.

The EPIC-Fly training courses in hoverfly identification are organized according to four regions in Europe. Finland (UH, FMNH Luomus, Gunilla Ståhls-Mäkelä) coordinates the training activities for the Northern region, which includes Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia and Sweden.
The Northern region organizes four training courses in Helsinki, two in 2025 and two in 2026, and at least two courses will include a fieldwork component. The training courses will have 10-15 participants with representation from each MS of the region and are given in English with regional instructors. The expertise to be acquired includes knowledge of all hoverfly genera (Basic course), to at least 70% of the common species (Intermediate courses 1 & 2) expected in the Member State of the trainee.
The training programme is structured in different stages (Basic level, Intermediate levels I & II, and Advanced level). Course enrolment is organized by the Consortium coordinator. The expertise to be acquired should cover knowledge of all hoverfly genera, and at least 70% of the species readily identifiable using a standard binocular microscope in the Member State of the trainee. The duration of each training course is 5-6 days. Course participants can take a certification using a standardised assessment scheme (certification test), which covers all the contents of the Basic and both Intermediate courses (level I and II).