God’s Little Creatures – the Hoverfly

Today I would like to share with you the interesting world of the Hoverfly.

September 8, 2015

Warren K Dick 1 minute read

Hoverflies are also called Flower Flies or Sweet Bees, and as their other common names suggest they are often seen hovering around flowers and also feeding on flower nectar. Some of these flies mimic the appearance of bees, however they do not sting nor bite.

There are over 6000 different species of hoverflies found world wide, and while the adult flies of most species only feed on flower nectar, their larvae (Maggots) feed on a wide variety of things depending on species. Some feed on rotting plant matter or even live in stagnant water, like the rat tailed maggots. But then you also get a few species whose maggots feed on Aphids, this makes them any gardener’s friend against aphid infestations. The flies who’s maggots eat Aphids, look something like this one pictured below.

An interesting and funny bit of info: when it comes to breeding and mating, some of the smaller species of hoverflies come together in large swarms, and when you get a chance to look at one closely you will see what I managed to capture in this picture below. They literally mate in mid-air, with the male being the one that just hangs around upside down.

(WOW, great shot, Warren)

On the whole, Hoverflies are our friends, being very valuable for pollenating flowers and for the fact that some of there babies eat the pesky aphids for us. What amazing little creatures.