How Do Flies Pollinate Flowers?
WouterMany people are unaware of the contribution of flies to the pollination process, and it is important to understand this important relationship. While flies are much smaller than other pollinators, they play a vital role in the cycle of life. Their tiny bodies, bristly antennae, and lack of stingers make them an important component in flower pollination. They also evolved two-winged flight, an evolutionary advance from their four-winged cousins.
While many of us may think of flies as parasitic, they are not. Most flies are scavengers and do not come into contact with humans. In fact, most flies are scavengers as larvae and imago, though there are some species that are specifically important for pollination. Some flies, such as fruit flies, pollinate flowers and other plants through their larvae.
Flies can pollinate flowers in areas of the world that do not attract bees. The majority of species have hairs on their bodies, which trap pollen and carry it with them from one flower to the next. In cold climates, flies are the only visitors to flowers. Flies are particularly useful for pollinating plants found in woodlands, where bees can’t visit. Some types of flies prefer flowers with yellow, white, or brown/dark purple petals. Some species can even be attracted to blue flowers, which have more deeply-seated nectar.
Another type of insect that pollinates flowers is the wasp. This insect lives in the tropical rainforest and collects pollen for making honey. It will pollinate any flower that has a shape resembling its own.
