Potential Pollinating Insects
Flies
Fly (Diptera) species use a diverse array of habitats for resources. The adults of many species are predaceous while other species feed on nectar, sap, or blood. Larvae are predators, parasites, or herbivores.
Species of , , , midges (Chironomidae), and commonly use flowers in the genera , , , and . and are known to use nectar from flower species in the families of Scrophulariaceae and Asteraceae. Some species are known to visit , , and . Species of dance flies (Empididae), , spear-winged Flies (Lonchopteridae), and also visit flowers. Some species have been observed as frequent visitors to flowers. Species of have been shown to visit Apiaceae, , , Labiatae, Scrophulariaceae, and Asteraceae. A few species pollinate species within Asteraceae. , , , and also interact with numerous flower species.
Fly families and genera often found visiting flowering plants and their larval / adult ecology (click on insect names in the table to view images if available):
| Family | Genus | Adult and Larval ecology (where available) |
|---|---|---|
|
Dolichopodidae
|
Herb foliage, wet banks of ponds and rivers | |
| Humid habitats | ||
| Humid forests | ||
| Humid forests and springs | ||
| Freshwater seepages, mud flats, wet soil, low vegetation | ||
| Riverbanks, humid forests, low vegetation | ||
|
Ephyridae
|
Larvae are aquatic or semi-aquatic, and both predators | |
|
Syrphidae
|
Larvae feed on vascular plants, fungus | |
| Larvae feed on aphids on trees | ||
| Larvae feed on aphids on Tilea, Platanus, Salix | ||
| tree holes, tree wounds, rotting wood | ||
| Larvae feed on aphids | ||
| Stem galls, Poplar, woolly apple aphids | ||
| Larvae feed on aphids | ||
| Larvae are aquatic | ||
| Larvae feed on aphids | ||
| Larvae feed on Chrysomelidae eggs, aphids | ||
| Larvae feed on aphids | ||
| Larvae feed on Dung, coprophagous | ||
| Water with high organic content | ||
| Larvae feed on aphids, adults Polygonum, Erigonium | ||
| Larvae feed on dung, coprophagous | ||
| Larvae feed on aphids on trees, herbs, and shrubs | ||
| Larvae feed on pea aphids, adults Polygonum, Erigonium | ||
| Larvae are Bombus and Vespa nest scavengers | ||
| Larvae are saprophytic |