Expanding the known distribution of Brazilian horse flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) using citizen science data

Abstract iNaturalist has been establishing itself as a bridge between researchers and the public, providing relevant data for scientific studies while making science more accessible beyond academia. Horseflies can serve as a useful model group when using the platform to expand distribution records, due to the relative ease of identifying members of the family from photographs. The study was organized into four stages: (i) defining the initial search scope, (Tabanidae) × (Brazil/states); (ii) selecting and filtering groups; (iii) confirming identifications; and (iv) checking and comparing state-level distribution data with records from the Brazilian Taxonomic Catalog of Fauna (CTFB).A total of 159 observations were made for eight previously selected genera, of which 25 observations that represent eleven species were new records for Brazilian states: Scepsis appendiculata (BA and RS), Catachlorops potator (RS), Erioneura fuscipennis (ES), Eutabanus pictus (MT), Lepiselaga albitarsis (SC), Lepiselaga crassipes (PE and ES), Leucotabanus flavinotum (RO), Selasoma tibiale (AL, PE, PR, and RS), Stibasoma aureoguttatum (PR), Stibasoma bela (MG), and Stibasoma flaviventris (BA).In addition to these results, we highlight that the use of the iNaturalist platform makes it possible to obtain relevant information from under-sampled areas, traditionally considered knowledge gaps for the taxon, and can also reveal details of morphology, coloration of live specimens, sexual dimorphism, habitat preferences, and behavior of the observed species. Implications for insect conservation This study demonstrates the potential of citizen science to expand access to distribution data and knowledge about tabanids, while also encouraging their appreciation by naturalists, thereby contributing to the conservation of the family.