Flies

in #insectslast year

Although it behaves like a bee and seems a little bee-like, this is a fly. A hoverfly to be precise, genus syrphidae. They mimic bees as a defence against predators but the eyes and legs give them away.

fly.jpg

They are important pollinators and the adult flies feed on nectar.

hoverfly2.jpg

I don't know why, but when the mint flowers, it attracts large amounts of insects, even normal flies

flies.jpg

Sort:  

There's a very emotional lobby about bees but I guess flies are too gross to be acknowledged as important

Too true. Hoverflies pollinate and they are also important aphid predators

Those last flies look like they are related to Jeff Goldblum

Aargh! That film still gives me the creeps!