The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and The Wildlife Trusts are calling on gardeners across the country to help save hoverflies. This fly family is the second most significant pollinator after bees – some species of hoverfly are known to visit more flowers than bees.

These insects are unsung heroes of many of our ecosystems. Hoverflies visit 52% of crops globally[i] which they either pollinate or protect by eating sap-sucking aphids. Additionally, they pollinate wildflowers, are food for birds and even help break down organic matter in gardens.

Yet, intensive agriculture, harmful pesticides, urban development and climate change have all taken their toll. Hoverfly distribution has seen a 44% decline between 1980 to 2020[ii] and in 2022 the International Union for the Conservation of Nature added hoverflies to its Red List of threatened species.

Hoverflies are masters of disguise. These stingless insects are often mistaken for wasps, bees or even hornets and the different types go by various common names such as Batman, Footballer and Marmalade, thanks to their distinctive markings and colours.

True flies have only one pair of flight wings (whereas bees and wasps have two) and they make up over 280 of the 6000 fly species in the UK. It can be easier to identify them by their behaviour than their looks, because they hover or even zigzag around plants.

Dan Banks, Citizen Science Officer at Surrey Wildlife Trust says:

“These magical helicopters of the insect world are easy to attract, fascinating to watch and can be a great gateway into the wonderful world of insects.  If everybody does what they can to restore even a portion of their garden or outside space to nature, for example by planting native plants or even just leaving some unmown areas, our skies could be buzzing with these wonderful characters once again.”

Helen Bostock, Senior Wildlife Specialist at the Royal Horticultural Society, says:

“We’d like people to open their garden gates to hoverflies this summer. These incredible insects help pollinate our plants, keep aphids in balance and break down rotting matter in the garden. Gardeners can help attract them by planting open, easily accessible flowers.  In spring, they’ll be drawn to aubretia. In summer, they’ll love blackberry flowers, oxeye daisy, marigolds, fennel, cow parsley and poppies. Come autumn, they can be seen on heather,  aster and even common ivy.”

Experts from the two charities have designed a series of projects for gardeners to help hoverflies in spaces large or small. These include:

• Pollinator plant boxes: Ideal for small-space gardens or balconies, these can be jam-packed with flowering plants to suit the season, representing a giant buffet for visiting hoverflies.
• Hoverfly lagoons: These are pools of shallow water where fallen leaves create a perfect breeding ground for many of the hoverfly species which have aquatic larvae.
• Larvae nurseries: Log piles and even shrubs can make perfect homes for hoverfly larvae.

To identify which hoverflies are visiting your garden and to find out more about how you can help save this species, please visit www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk .