Are Flies Good For Plants?

Flies are beneficial to plants because they help pollinate many different kinds of crops. They also feed on insects like bees and hummingbirds, and are an important part of ecosystems around the world. More than one hundred different species of flies exist around the world. In addition to pollinating crops, flies also help to control pests.

Fly larvae feed on nectar and pollen from plants, which are the lifecycle ingredients for plants. Many species of flies also feed on other insects, which helps to control pests. Some species also help break down organic matter in the garden, releasing valuable nutrients into the soil.

Some flies that are good for plants include fungus gnats, which are common in soils. Fungus gnats are not very good flyers, so they tend to stay close to plants. Their larvae are black with a shiny head, and they have transparent bodies. During the winter, fungus gnat larvae lay their eggs in the soil.

Many flowering plants are attractive to flies, particularly those with white flowers, open structures, and decomposing scents. In Illinois, researcher Charles Robertson collected thirty-three-year data on plant-pollinator interactions. He found that tachinid flies visited 57 different families of plants, but their preferred plants included Apiaceae, Asteraceae, and Rosaceae.

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