Hoverfly on Queen Anne's Lace
Hoverflies are rather special. These little guys are important polllinators, unlike most of their fly friends and cousins; I've seen them just coated in pollen. Plus their larvea are so useful for elminating unwanted aphids that gardeners in some countries plant flowers to attract hoverflies, just as we plant butterfly gardens. Hoverflies also attract shutterbugs with those nice contrasting colors, stained glass wings and protruding eyes. They mimic wasps for protection, but are harmless to any other insects or people. Not a bad combination!
Hoverfly on Queen Anne's Lace
Hoverflies are rather special. These little guys are important polllinators, unlike most of their fly friends and cousins; I've seen them just coated in pollen. Plus their larvea are so useful for elminating unwanted aphids that gardeners in some countries plant flowers to attract hoverflies, just as we plant butterfly gardens. Hoverflies also attract shutterbugs with those nice contrasting colors, stained glass wings and protruding eyes. They mimic wasps for protection, but are harmless to any other insects or people. Not a bad combination!