BBWOT and RHS call for help to save threatened hoverflies
"Hoverflies are a tiny but essential part of the natural world," Andy Coulson-Phillips, BBOWT's principal ecologist, said."They are vital for pollinating both wildflowers and garden plants alike, so we'd love everyone across our three counties to invite them into their gardens or outside space."Stingless hoverflies are often mistaken for wasps, bees or hornets. Common species include Batman, Footballer and Marmalade, named after their distinctive markings and colours.
Hoverflies have only one pair of flight wings but bees and wasps have two.They can be easily identified by their behaviour, rather than the way they look, because they hover or zigzag around plants.
"We'd like people to open their garden gates to hoverflies this summer. Gardeners can help attract them by planting open, easily accessible flowers," Helen Bostock, the RHS's senior wildlife specialist, said."In spring, they'll be drawn to aubretia. In summer, they'll love blackberry flowers, oxeye daisy, marigolds, fennel, cow parsley and poppies. Come autumn, they can be seen on heather, aster and even common ivy."
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