SUR study: High-altitude flies, guardians of climate-threatened biodiversity – News – CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance [Μετάβαση στο περιεχόμενο](#main) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-08-Bbt_UM7-.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-03-DvaxLIQk.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-04-D4E6Ss3k.svg) [ ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg)](https://civis.eu/el) - [ Ανακάλυψε ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance) - [ Τι είναι το CIVIS; ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Το έργο μας ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Αποστολή, Όραμα & Αξίες ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Διακυβέρνηση & Διαχείριση ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Ποιος είναι Ποιος ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) [Ανοιχτά εργαστήρια & Συμμετοχή των πολιτών ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Σπούδασε ](https://civis.eu/el/learn) - [ Μικτά Εντατικά προγράμματα ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Ευέλικτη μάθηση ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Μεταπτυχιακά προγράμματα ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Εβδομάδες Κατάρτισης Προσωπικού & Παρακολούθηση Εργασίας ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Σπούδασε στο εξωτερικό ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) [Discover the projects led by our students in 2025-2026 ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/student-led-projects/discover-the-projects-led-by-our-students-in-2025-2026) [Μουσείο CIVIS Φόρουμ Πανεπιστημίων ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/CIVIS-Museum-University-Forum) - [ Δίδαξε ](https://civis.eu/el/teach) - [ Προσκλήσεις υποβολής προτάσεων έργων ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/civis-calls) - [ Καινοτομήστε στη διδασκαλία σας ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Πόροι για εκπαιδευτικούς ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/resources-for-educators) [Μικτά Εντατικά Προγράμματα CIVIS: Ισχυρός Αντίκτυπος και Υψηλά Ποσοστά Ικανοποίησης, σύμφωνα με Νέα Έκθεση ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/civis-bips-strong-impact-and-high-satisfaction-new-report-finds) [Όταν η Τέχνη Υπερβαίνει τους Τίτλους των Ειδήσεων: Το CIVIS Open Lab Επαναδιεκδικεί την Έννοια του Σπιτιού ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/when-art-speaks-louder-than-headlines-civis-open-lab-reclaims-the-meaning-of-home) - [ Κάνε έρευνα ](https://civis.eu/el/research) - [ Συνεργασία στην έρευνα ](https://civis.eu/el/research/research-collaboration) - [ Σταδιοδρομία, Δίκτυα & Κινητικότητα ](https://civis.eu/el/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Πόροι για ερευνητές ](https://civis.eu/el/research/resources-for-researchers) [Είμαι ακαδημαϊκός/ερευνητής/-τρια ](https://civis.eu/el/i-am-an-academic-researcher) [Αντιμέτωποι με Κοινές Προκλήσεις, Διαμορφώνοντας Κοινές Λύσεις για την Αφρική και την Ευρώπη ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/facing-common-challenges-shaping-joint-solutions-for-africa-and-europe) - [ Συνδέσου ](https://civis.eu/el/connect) - [ Ενημερωτικά Δελτία ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/newsletters) - [ Ημέρες CIVIS ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/civis-days) - [ Κοινωνία των Πολιτών ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας ](https://civis.eu/el/contact) - [ Τύπος και Επωνυμία ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [Ποιος είναι Ποιος ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) [Fake It Till You News It: Challenges and Solutions in Modern Media Student Innovation Forum ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/student-led-projects/discover-the-projects-led-by-our-students-in-2025-2026/civis-creathon-contest) [ Ιστορίες ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom) el - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) Menu - [Ανακάλυψε](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-29) - [ Τι είναι το CIVIS; ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Το έργο μας ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Αποστολή, Όραμα & Αξίες ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Διακυβέρνηση & Διαχείριση ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Ποιος είναι Ποιος ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) - [Σπούδασε](https://civis.eu/el/learn) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-30) - [ Μικτά Εντατικά προγράμματα ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Ευέλικτη μάθηση ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Μεταπτυχιακά προγράμματα ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Εβδομάδες Κατάρτισης Προσωπικού & Παρακολούθηση Εργασίας ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Σπούδασε στο εξωτερικό ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) - [Δίδαξε](https://civis.eu/el/teach) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-31) - [ Προσκλήσεις υποβολής προτάσεων έργων ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/civis-calls) - [ Καινοτομήστε στη διδασκαλία σας ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Πόροι για εκπαιδευτικούς ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/resources-for-educators) - [Κάνε έρευνα](https://civis.eu/el/research) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-32) - [ Συνεργασία στην έρευνα ](https://civis.eu/el/research/research-collaboration) - [ Σταδιοδρομία, Δίκτυα & Κινητικότητα ](https://civis.eu/el/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Πόροι για ερευνητές ](https://civis.eu/el/research/resources-for-researchers) - [Συνδέσου](https://civis.eu/el/connect) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-33) - [ Ενημερωτικά Δελτία ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/newsletters) - [ Ημέρες CIVIS ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/civis-days) - [ Κοινωνία των Πολιτών ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας ](https://civis.eu/el/contact) - [ Τύπος και Επωνυμία ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [ Ιστορίες ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom) el - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/sur-study-high-altitude-flies-guardians-of-climate-threatened-biodiversity) 1. [The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom) 2. SUR study: High-altitude flies, guardians of climate-threatened biodiversity SUR study: High-altitude flies, guardians of climate-threatened biodiversity ============================================================================== CIVIS Highlights 23 Ιανουαρίου 2024 Since the middle of the last century, the percentage of specialist bristle flies has increased by 70% at low altitudes and decreased by 20% at high altitudes, where generalist species have spread rapidly over the same period. This is the conclusion of a new study, published in the journal PNAS and conducted by the *Charles Darwin* Department of Biology and Biotechnology, in collaboration with Sapienza Museum of Zoology. ![](/storage/files/01-moreno-di-marco.jpg) Moreno Di Marco, Head of the Biodiversity & Global Change laboratory at Sapienza University and study Coordinator - © archiviofotografico\_Sapienza Climate change has a particularly significant impact on mountain biodiversity. Altitude species are often specialists, i.e. able to live in a restricted variety of environmental conditions (sometimes extreme), and are therefore also very sensitive to climate change. Meet the bristle flies ---------------------- One of these species is the *Bristle flies* or *tachinid flies* - parasitoid insects that 'exploit' other insects (especially caterpillars) at the larval stage, while they are free-living and feed on nectar as adults: > *In mountain ecosystems, their role is crucial because they keep in check the populations of various herbivorous insects of which they are parasites. Some species show a preference for specific hosts, while others are broadly generalists"*, says Pierfilippo Cerretti, Director of the Museum of Zoology and senior author of the study. The specialists have analysed the data of more than 60,000 museum specimens of bristle flies collected in Europe from 1845 to the present day. Luca Santini, the co-author of the study, explains: *"the decline observed in high-altitude specialist flies implies an increased risk of the spread of herbivorous insects, which could reshape mountain ecosystems"*. And Moreno Di Marco, head of the Biodiversity & Global Change laboratory at Sapienza University and study coordinator, concludes: > *The data highlighted by our work show an effect of climate change that goes beyond individual species, suggesting that the entire composition of ecosystems is rapidly changing with potentially enormous repercussions on mountain biodiversity".* The results of this study also show how the heritage of natural history museums, obtained through field collection campaigns and long-term monitoring plans, is fundamental to the understanding of complex, and most topical, natural phenomena such as climate change. **Find out more by reading the [original sotry, in Italian](https://www.uniroma1.it/it/notizia/mosche-dalta-quota-guardiane-della-biodiversita-rischio-climatico).** Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/at-irene-scifoni-02-sapienza-quantum-lab-copia-800x600.jpg?token=29eb8cbaf2383ed4bff95ad36bf7213b)SUR's modular photonic computer is now fully operational CIVIS Highlights 26 Ιανουαρίου 2026 ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/sur-s-modular-photonic-computer-is-now-fully-operational) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/02-mlk-foto-di-stefania-sepulcri_2-800x600.jpg?token=5ce00b0649bc049397348a1e5df68500)An in-depth exhibition at Sapienza celebrating Martin Luther King - the icon of the Civil Rights Movement CIVIS Highlights 2 Δεκεμβρίου 2025 ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/an-in-depth-exhibition-at-sapienza-celebrating-martin-luther-king-the-icon-of-the-civil-rights-movement) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/scalone-at-stefano-segati-800x600.jpg?token=734ed2f975bbbae331b190d46e57f25e)90 Years of Sapienza Main Campus: a celebration of renewal and solidarity CIVIS Highlights 22 Οκτωβρίου 2025 ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/90-years-of-sapienza-main-campus-a-celebration-of-renewal-and-solidarity) [Ανακαλύψτε όλες μας τις ιστορίες](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom) [ New CIVIS Alliance project seeks to build an academic network on migratory crises ](< https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/new-civis-alliance-project-seeks-to-build-academic-network-on-migratory-crises >) [ Can digitalisation be designed in a humane way? PLUS project receives 350,000 euro research grant ](< https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/can-digitalisation-be-designed-in-a-humane-way-plus-project-receives-350-000-euro-research-grant >) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither can be held responsible for them. ### Άνθρωποι - [ Φοιτητές-/τριες ](https://civis.eu/el/i-am-a-student) - [ Ακαδημαϊκοί και ερευνητές ](https://civis.eu/el/i-am-an-academic-researcher) - [ Διοικητικοί ](https://civis.eu/el/i-am-an-administrator) - [ Κοινωνία των πολιτών ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Τύπος ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) ### Χρήσιμοι σύνδεσμοι - [ Πόροι ](https://civis.eu/el/resources) - [ Πλατφόρμα CIVIS Agora ](https://civis.eu/el/civis-agora-the-operational-hub-of-the-civis-digital-campus) - [ Πρωτοβουλία των Ευρωπαϊκών Πανεπιστημίων ](https://civis.eu/el/european-universities-initiative) - [ Προηγούμενες εκδηλώσεις ](https://civis.eu/el/past-events) - [ Επικοινωνία ](https://civis.eu/el/contact) [Newsletters](https://civis.eu/el/connect/newsletters) ### Social networks - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/instagram.svg) Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/civis.eu/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/linkedin.svg) LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/civis-eu) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/facebook.svg) Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/CIVISEuropeanUniversity/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/youtube.svg) YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdCm0FfreX81BuNH-znlRGQ) © 2026 – CIVIS – All rights reserved - [ Cookie Policy ](https://civis.eu/el/cookie-policy) - [ Privacy policy ](https://civis.eu/el/privacy-policy) Website by [Typi Design](https://typi.be) • Design by [Atelier Milky](https://ateliermilky.com) [ ](#top) Search