Hover Fly Larvae: All You Need to Know for a Healthy Garden

Hover fly larvae are fascinating creatures that play a crucial role in keeping gardens healthy. These tiny larvae, often overlooked by many, are voracious predators of common garden pests like aphids, scale insects, and thrips. By having hover fly larvae in your garden, you can effectively reduce the use of chemical pesticides and protect your plants from harmful insects.

Adult hover flies, belonging to the family Syrphidae, are often mistaken for bees or wasps due to their similar color patterns. These flies can be found hovering around flowers, feeding on nectar and pollen. Interestingly, their bee-like appearance is believed to deter their own predators by mimicking the stinging insects. The larvae, on the other hand, have a completely different appearance and diet preferences.

In this article, we will dive into the world of hover fly larvae, discussing their unique characteristics, life cycle, and the benefits they bring to garden ecosystems. By understanding these small but mighty predators, you can optimize your gardening practices and contribute to a more sustainable and ecological environment.

Hover Fly Larvae Basics

Life Cycle

• Eggs: Hover fly females lay eggs on plants infested with aphids or other soft-bodied prey.
• Larvae: Maggots feed voraciously on prey, completing 3 growth stages in about a week.
• Pupae: Larvae pupate, forming protective cases, and emerge as adults in 7-10 days.

Appearance and Identification

• Larvae: Pale green, cream or brown in color; elongated, slug-like bodies; tapering at both ends.
• Adults: Resemble bees or wasps; black with bands or stripes of orange, yellow, or white; large eyes and distinct antennae.

Distribution

Hover flies, also known as syrphid flies or flower flies, are common and important natural enemies of aphids, scale insects, and thrips. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including gardens, orchards, and agricultural fields.

For example, the Scaeva pyrastri species is common in the Pacific Northwest.

Pros of hover fly larvae as natural enemies:

• Effective predators of various pests
• Larvae consume a significant number of prey
• Reduce the need for chemical pesticides

Cons of hover fly larvae as natural enemies:

• May not completely eliminate pests
• Require a suitable habitat to thrive
• Not effective against large, fast-moving pests

Benefits in the Garden

Predatory Abilities

Hover fly larvae are excellent predators in the garden. They are known for their ability to control aphid populations. A few key features of their predatory abilities include:

• High consumption rate: Larvae can consume hundreds of aphids during their development.
• Wide prey range: They also feed on other pests like caterpillars, thrips, and scale insects.

Pollination Contributions

In addition to their predatory skills, hover flies play a crucial role as pollinators. Adult flies help with flower pollination by:

• Visiting flowers: They visit flowers for nectar and pollen, which aids in pollination.
• Attracting other pollinators: Their presence can attract other beneficial insects and pollinators to the garden.

Some examples of flowers that gardeners can plant to attract hover flies include wild carrot (Queen Anne’s lace), wild mustard, sweet alyssum, coriander, and dill. These small-flowered herbs provide both pollen and nectar sources for the adult hover flies. They are also drawn to weedy borders or mixed garden plantings infested with aphids, which provide food for their larvae (source).

In conclusion, hover fly larvae offer numerous benefits to gardeners. Their abilities to control aphid and other pest populations, along with their role as pollinators, make them valuable assets to any garden.

Attracting Hover Fly Larvae

Plant Selection

Attracting hover fly larvae to your garden starts with the right plant selection. Some plants known to draw hover flies include:

• Alyssum: Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) has a long bloom period and has been found to be effective in attracting and keeping syrphid flies in an area.
• Aster: These perennial flowers are known for their ability to attract hover flies.
• Daisies: Daisies are a great option, as they provide nectar and pollen for adult hover flies.
• Marigolds: These annual flowers are also effective in drawing hover flies to your garden.
• Herbs: Some herbs, such as dill, fennel, and parsley, attract hover flies as well.
• Vegetables: Certain vegetables, like lettuce and spinach, can also help attract hover flies.
• Weeds: Surprisingly, some weeds like yarrow and Queen Anne’s lace serve as food sources for hover flies.

Creating an Ideal Habitat

Providing a suitable habitat for hover flies is essential for them to thrive and lay eggs. Here are a few tips to create a welcoming space for these beneficial insects:

• Fruits: Plant fruit trees and berry bushes, which provide an additional food source for hover flies.
• Hedges: Plant hedges to offer shelter and breeding sites for hover flies.
• Bird protection: Place birdhouses or bird feeders around your garden to deter birds from eating hover fly larvae.
• Garden pests: Encourage hover flies by avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides, which kill beneficial insects as well.
• Flowers: Choose flowers with open blooms or flat surfaces, making it easier for hover flies to feed on pollen and nectar.
• Leaves: Incorporate plants with various leaf shapes and textures, giving hover flies and their larvae ample places to rest and hunt for prey.
• Soil: Maintain healthy, well-draining soil to support a biodiverse ecosystem in your garden.

By considering these plant selections and creating an ideal habitat, you can increase the presence of hover fly larvae in your garden, promoting natural pest control and a healthier ecosystem.

Natural Enemies and Pests

Predators

Hover fly larvae, also called syrphid flies, are natural enemies to various pests. They are beneficial for controlling aphids and other small, slow-moving insects. Some common predators of hover fly larvae include:

• Birds
• Insects (e.g., certain species of beetles and ants)

Pest Management Techniques

There are several pest management techniques that can be employed to protect hover fly larvae and encourage their role in biological control. These methods include:

• Minimizing the use of insecticides, as they can harm beneficial insects such as hover fly larvae.
• Using insecticidal soap, which is less harmful to hover fly larvae and other natural enemies.
• Welcoming other natural enemies (e.g., ladybugs and parasitic wasps) to enhance pest control.

In summary, hover fly larvae play a crucial role in controlling pests within their ecosystem. Taking care to protect them from predators and harmful pest control methods can greatly enhance their effectiveness as a natural enemy.

Mimicry and Misconceptions

Resemblance to Bees and Wasps

Hover fly larvae, found in the family Syrphidae, are known for their fascinating ability to mimic bees and wasps. Some common features include:

• Black, orange, or yellow stripes on the abdomen
• Hovering behavior similar to bees and wasps
• Wings that may resemble those of bees and wasps

However, there are some notable differences, such as:

• Large eyes on hover fly larvae
• Antennae that differ from those of bees and wasps

Comparison Table

Harmless Nature

Despite the resemblance, hover fly larvae are harmless and provide numerous benefits in controlling pests. Some key points include:

• Adult hover flies feed on nectar and are not aggressive
• They do not possess stingers, as bees and wasps do
• Larvae contribute to controlling aphid populations

So when you spot a hover fly larvae, don’t fear; they’re not out to sting you! Instead, appreciate their role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Notable Hover Fly Species

Scaeva Pyrastri

Scaeva pyrastri is a common species of hover fly found in Pacific Northwest orchards. These hover flies are also known as:

• Flower flies
• Hover flies

Their larvae are predators feeding on:

• Aphids
• Scale insects
• Thrips

Adult Scaeva pyrastri are harmless and feed on nectar and pollen.

Drone Flies

Drone flies are another prominent species of hover flies native to eastern North America. They have yellow and black markings that resemble bees or wasps, which helps protect them from predators.

Their larvae, called “rat-tailed maggots,” consume decaying organic matter in stagnant water. These larvae are beneficial, as they help break down and recycle nutrients.

Comparison Table: Scaeva Pyrastri vs. Drone Flies

In conclusion, both Scaeva pyrastri and drone flies are essential hover fly species that contribute to a healthy ecosystem. Each species has its specific role, with Scaeva pyrastri focusing on pest control, while drone flies focus on decomposition and pollination.