
Hover fly resting on an Argyranthemum leaf - body length 1cm/ 6/16in.
Hover fly on a daisy flower. Diameter of the flower is 3cm/1¼in.

Hover fly hovering above Euphorbia wulfenii.
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Predatory Insect
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Hover flies are extremely important insects in organic gardening and organic pest
control. The adult hover flies are pollinators and their larvae feed entirely on various
small garden insect pests.
Hover flies are small to medium sized brightly coloured flies that resemble bees and
wasps. Their attractive, striped markings come in bronze, gold and yellow.
Also known as flowerflies, they are easily spotted on warm, sunny days as they hover
above or dart swiftly between flowers. They can usually be found in the vicinity of aphid
infested plants. They lay their eggs amongst clusters of aphids, mealy bugs, white fly,
thrips, scale and mites, thereby supplying their maggot-like
larvae with an abundant food source.
Adult hover flies feed entirely on nectar and pollen and are effective pollinators.
However, being short-tongued insects, they only benefit
plants whose nectar is easily accessible. Plants such as Santolina,
Ageratum, Erigeron, Argyranthemum and other open, daisy-type
flowers will bring hover flies into the garden.
Hover Flies prey on : Aphids, mealy bugs, mites,
scale, thrips and white fly. |