Which Flies Are Pollinators?
WouterBees are a well-known example of pollinators, but flies also play an important role. There are more than 150,000 species of flies in the world. They can be found in a wide variety of habitats. They visit flowers for pollen and nectar. They can also feed on smaller insects. Many flies are important pollinators of various plants, including mango and avocado.
The majority of flies are attracted to flowers, but they are attracted to some kinds over others. They tend to prefer white flowers, open structures, and scents that indicate decomposition. A thirty-three-year study conducted in Illinois found that tachinid flies visited 57 different plant families, although they preferred the Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Apiaceae families.
Researchers are currently trying to identify which flies are the most important pollinators of various crops. A five-year multi-institution project is underway to identify which species of flies are most useful in pollinating different types of crops. The flies selected will be reared and used on several crops to determine their pollination effectiveness.
The family of flies commonly known as flower-flies, called syrphids, contains 6,000 species around the world. They are widespread and important pollinators in forest ecosystems. Many species of syrphids are able to hover above flowers and are active foragers of pollen and nectar. Unlike bees, these insects also perform important ecosystem functions, including protecting crops from pests and recycling organic matter.
