How Do Flies Make Honey?
WouterIt is interesting to note that flies actually pollinate some crops, such as chocolate. This is because the cacao tree has a complex reproductive system and only tiny flies can pollinate it. This means that bees are not the only creatures that make honey. It is also fascinating to note that bees are not the only creatures that kill honey bees.
While bees are the most familiar pollinators, there are many other species that contribute to crop pollination, such as butterflies, moths, wasps, and flies. Some of these insects are more successful than others. Some have even outperformed bees. In Mexico, for example, researchers discovered that the large green blowfly visited more flowers than the bees. The blowfly was able to carry pollen grains on its body.
While the commercial honey bees are known around the world, other species also make honey. A few of these species are native to Asia, Europe, and Africa. Many of these insects have been used as natural sugar sources for centuries. While honey bees are arguably the most popular of all, there are hundreds of other species of insects that produce honey.
Bee flies both have complex bodies that make them look similar. Bees, on the other hand, have narrow compound eyes. Bee-like flies have long, stout bodies with hairy wings. Many of these flies use their long proboscis to gather pollen from flowers. This helps them move from flower to flower in a very fast manner. Their hairy bodies allow them to transfer large amounts of pollen from flowers.
