Hover Flies: Beneficial Insects in Your Garden
Introduction
Hover flies are fascinating insects that look like small bees or wasps, but they are actually true flies. They are also known as syrphid flies, flower flies, or drone flies. These beneficial insects play a vital role in controlling pests and pollinating flowers in our gardens.
What Are Hover Flies?
Hover flies are unique insects that can hover in the air like helicopters. They are often seen darting around flowers, feeding on nectar. Adult hover flies are important pollinators, helping to transfer pollen from one flower to another.
Female hover flies lay their tiny, creamy-white eggs near aphid colonies. The eggs hatch into larvae, which are voracious predators of aphids, thrips, scale insects, and caterpillars. Hover fly larvae can consume hundreds of aphids each day, making them a valuable tool in the fight against these pests.
The Life Cycle of Hover Flies
After feeding on aphids, hover fly larvae attach themselves to a stem and build a cocoon. They spend several days or weeks inside the cocoon, depending on the weather conditions. When they emerge as adults, they begin the cycle again.
Benefits of Hover Flies in the Garden
Hover flies are extremely beneficial insects in the garden. They help to control aphids and other soft-bodied insects, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Hover flies are also important pollinators, helping to ensure that our plants produce fruits and vegetables.
Attracting Hover Flies to Your Garden
There are several things you can do to attract hover flies to your garden:
- Plant flowers that are rich in nectar, such as daisies, sunflowers, and zinnias.
- Provide a water source, such as a birdbath or shallow dish filled with water.
- Avoid using pesticides, as they can harm hover flies and other beneficial insects.
Using Hover Flies as a Natural Pesticide
Hover flies are a natural and effective way to control aphids and other pests in your garden. By attracting these beneficial insects to your garden, you can reduce the need for chemical pesticides and create a healthier environment for your plants and wildlife.
Identifying Hover Flies
Hover flies can be distinguished from wasps by their heads, which look like typical fly heads. Hover flies also have two wings, while wasps have four.
Conclusion
Hover flies are fascinating and beneficial insects that play an important role in our gardens. By attracting these insects to your garden, you can enjoy the benefits of natural pest control and pollination, while also creating a more sustainable and healthy environment for your plants and wildlife.
