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Pollinators

Did you know that along with bees -- butterflies, moths, beetles, birds, bats and even flies -- are pollinators.

Pollination is important for fruit set.

But Syrphid flies, small stingless black-yellow striped flies, also feed on aphids! Syrphid flies are also called flower flies or hover flies becasue the adults ike to hover over flowers. The larvae move along leaf surfaces and eat aphids. They don't really look like caterpillars because they have no legs, a tapered head, and are opaque (can see through their bodies). They usually have a yellow stripe down the back.

If you find these flies or their larvae in your garden know that your flowers and other plants will be happy.  Read more about these syrphid flies, including photos of the larvae and adults.

Read more about pollinating flies in the UCANR blog.