Harmful Foes Found in Ohio: Hover Flies
Beneficial Hover Flies Boost Ohio Gardens
Hover flies, also known as flower flies or syrphid flies, are a common sight in Ohio gardens. These small insects, resembling bees or wasps, play a crucial role in the ecosystem by acting as both pollinators and natural pest controllers.
Primarily feeding on nectar and pollen, adult hover flies are effective pollinators. Their frequent visits to flowers transfer pollen between blossoms, enhancing biodiversity and supporting the health of flowering plants, including native species and crops.
Syrphid larvae, on the other hand, are predatory. They consume pest insects, such as aphids that can damage many garden plants. This biological control reduces the need for chemical insecticides, promoting more sustainable gardening practices.
In Ohio gardens, hover flies contribute significantly to the ecosystem. By planting diverse nectar- and pollen-rich flowers and minimizing insecticide use, gardeners can encourage hover fly populations and reap the benefits of their natural pollination and pest control services.
Small to medium in size, hover flies typically measure 6–15 mm in length. They are easily recognizable by their fast and stable hovering flight near flowers, bright yellow and black or orange markings, large compound eyes, and short antennae. Adults also have a characteristic wing venation pattern with a false vein ("spurious vein") unique to Syrphidae.
While specific studies on hover flies in Ohio gardens were not found, syrphid flies are widely recognized for these roles in temperate North American garden ecosystems. Examples of plants that attract hover flies include sweet alyssum, parsley, dill, yarrow, clover, and buckwheat.
Hover fly larvae can be found on foliage, preying on plant-sucking insects like aphids, scales, or thrips. The genus Eristalis, for instance, are detritivores and are referred to as rat-tailed maggots as larvae and drone flies as adults. Eggs of predatory hover flies are typically laid singly on plants near suitable prey.
Figure 3A shows a predatory hover fly larva consuming an aphid, while Figure 3B depicts the larva of Eristalis, referred to as a rat-tailed maggot because of its long siphon.
Hover flies are a diverse family of insects, ranging in size from 1/4 to 11/4 inches. They are harmless to humans, although some species are attracted to the salt in human sweat and may land on exposed skin. Despite their small size, these beneficial insects play a significant role in maintaining the balance of Ohio's garden ecosystems.
- Incorporating natural resources like flowers rich in nectar and pollen from environmental-science, such as sweet alyssum, parsley, dill, yarrow, clover, and buckwheat, into home-and-garden lifestyle can attract and support hover fly populations, thereby enhancing the natural pollination and pest control they provide.
- The syrphid larvae, being predators in the agricultural context, consume pest insects like aphids, scales, or thrips, reducing the dependency on chemical insecticides, which aligns with sustainable lifestyle choices and gardening practices.
- The biological control services provided by hover flies, such as their role as pollinators and natural pest controllers in Ohio gardens, are crucial for maintaining the balance of the ecosystem, contributing positively to the agricultural sector, and benefiting the lifestyle and wellbeing of homeowners.
