Abstract: 【Aim】This study aims to explore the species diversity of flower-visiting insects and the effects of different environmental factors in the economically developed Hangzhou-Ningbo Area, East China. 【Methods】 We conducted a survey of flower-visiting insect taxa at 20 collecting localities in Hangzhou and Ningbo in spring, summer and fall (March 1st-November 31st) during 2019-2023, using the combination of random surveys and the sample line method. Firstly, we collected flower-visiting insects by netting and Malayan netting, then we analyzed the effects of habitats, altitudes and seasonal temperatures and other environmental factors on the Shannon-Weiner diversity index, Simpson’s dominance index, Pielou’s evenness evenness index and Margalef’s richness index of flower-visiting insect taxa in this area by using bivariate regression models and redundancy analyses.【Results】 There were 212 species of flower-visiting insects belonging to 65 families of 5 orders, including Hymenoptera (accounting for 40.91%), Lepidoptera (accounting for 29.00%), Coleoptera (accounting for 11.57%), Diptera (accounting for 9.94%) and Hemiptera (accounting for 8.57%). Among the different habitat types, wetland had the highest species diversity and the most stable community structure, followed by woodland, and mountain had the lowest species diversity and the least stable community structure. For different altitude gradients, species richness was ranked in the descending order of lower altitude areas (0-100 m), medium altitude areas (100-200 m), and higher altitude areas (>200 m), indicating that the species diversity of flower-visiting insects decreased with altitude increasing. In addition, the Shannon-Weiner diversity index was only significantly positively correlated with the mean temperature of the coldest quarter. Simpson’s dominance index was significantly positively correlated with the mean temperature of the driest season and the mean temperature of the coldest season, and significantly negatively correlated with the temperature seasonality, indicating that temperature was the key factor affecting the species diversity of flower-visiting insects in this region. 【Conclusion】 The habitat types and environmental factors in Hangzhou-Ningbo Area have a direct impact on the diversity of flower-visiting insects, which in turn affects the protection and stability of the ecosystem.

Key words: Flower-visiting insects, species diversity, redundancy analysis, environmental factors, Hangzhou-Ningbo Area