Taking a Look at Hoverflies
Why not take time out on a sunny, calm July day and sit down in your local churchyard, chapel yard or cemetery next to a flowering plant such as hogweed, yarrow or knapweed. After a while you may notice that there is a wealth of variety amongst the various bee-like insects who are visiting the flowers. Whilst bees meander from flower to flower at a fairly constant speed, you’ll also spot another group of insects, similarly banded in yellow and black, which dart quickly and then hover, staying quite still, like a miniature hummingbird. These are hoverflies and there are an amazing 280 different species in the UK, found in a wide range of habitats.
Hoverflies often look quite like bees or wasps, with stripey, sometimes furry bodies. They do not sting however but this mimicry discourages predators as the yellow and black stripes spell danger! Look closely and you’ll see two large eyes and a single pair of wings, characteristics of flies (bees and wasps have two pairs of wings). The hoverfly beats these wings up and down several hundred times per second to stay stationary.
Hoverflies are a true friend to the gardener, the adults are important pollinators and nearly half of our hoverfly larvae feed on aphids and other plant sap-suckers. Others eat fungi, yeasts, micro-organism and general detritus found in the soil, in deadwood and in stagnant water. They are key decomposers and recyclers. Many gardeners encourage hoverflies by planting suitable flowers for them. Open flowers such as alyssums, yarrows, daisies and marjoram will all provide a good source of nectar. Many of the wildflowers found in churchyards are great for hoverflies too, do you have cow parsley, chervil or wild carrot (or any of the umbel family), how about daisies, yarrow, dandelions and hawkweeds? Hoverflies have mouthparts that dab at the flowers rather like a sponge so choose flat, open flowers.
Hoverflies are an example of an insect group which is often overlooked, easily passed off as a bee until you look more closely. They are an important part of our ecosystem however and, like butterflies, are sensitive indicators of environmental change. As well letting some grassland grow long so the wildflowers can bloom, how about planting suitable flowers if you have beds or planters? Creating a deadwood pile in a shady spot is great for hoverflies as well as so many other species and leaving some leaf litter and woody debris under tree canopies supports pupae or, in some cases, overwintering adults, ready to emerge in the spring.
So have a look for hoverflies this summer and, if you are patient, photograph them hovering and feeding. This can help to identify what you have seen.
All the best,
Harriet Carty
Diocesan Churchyard Environmental Advisor
www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk - individuals and groups in the diocese receive 20% members discount on all CfGA materials. Use the discount code diomem22