PRAIRIE POLLINATORS | HOVER FLIES
About Hover Flies:
When most people think about pollinators we don’t think about flies, but you should! Syrphid flies, also called hover flies, are the most diverse and common flower-visiting fly species.
Look closely at a hover fly and you’ll see one pair of wings, short antennae, and bulging compound eyes similar to that of a house fly. Bees, on the other hand, have two sets of wings, longer antennae, and smaller eyes in comparison. Hover flies do not sting and spend their time flying around looking for nesting sites, as well as for pollen and nectar from wildflowers. The Eastern Calligrapher is one of the most common hover flies as adults are most active in April through late October.
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