Hoverflies

[seadogg]

I have the impression that exceptionally large numbers of hoverflies have taken over the role of the declining bee population. Have other gardeners noticed this

[DTCwordfan]

have you a pic seadogg - they have these brilliant ones in the States that look like two helicopters shagging.......

[seadogg]

I used this site to sort the different kinds. It has lots if pics.

http://www.gardensafa...erflies.htm#inleiding

[DTCwordfan]

http://www.picturejoc...008/9/helicopter.html

[Curvylady]

I have lots of bees in my garden, but the last week or so I have noticed a marked increase of hover flies, they mainly hover around my Sunflowers, they have the appearance of tiny wasps, same colouring and seem to cluster in numbers.

[chrissa1]

My daughter just cleared out an overgrown border in the house we now rent and this afternoon there were about 20 hoverflies that had come into the kitchen via the open window. Not nice. Do they sting?

[heathfield]

No, they don't sting - they're quite harmless. Important pollinators. And DT - that pic's a dragonfly!!

[craft1948]

I've noticed an increase in them...................whe it rains heavily I have thousand sheltering under my canopy........

[slinkycat]

Yes I've had loads in the garden this year, plus masses of ladybirds, both great to see