The Marmalade Hoverfly, Episyrphus balteatus from the Syrphidae family of flies, is a distinctive hoverfly species that can be spotted hovering around flowers with its bright orange and black stripes — there are few insects so striking! It is called a hoverfly because although it looks like and lands on flowers the way flies do, it does not actually belong to the fly family but instead in Syrphidae.
A Beneficial Insect
Adults and larvae of marmalade hoverflies the adult flies are predators on aphids. Hoverflies in adulthood feed on nectar and pollen, turning into some of the crucial pollinators. Their larvae, also known as rat-tailed maggots are common consumers of aphids helping to control this garden pest.
A Master of Disguise
The name of the Marmalade Hoverfly is likely a tribute to its aposematic coloration — mimicking that of a wasp or bee. This serves as a natural way to prevent some predators. But unlike wasps and bees, hoverflies are completely harmless.
Bringing Marmalade Hoverflies into Your Garden
You can attract them to your garden by doing the following:
Grow flowers with nectar: Flowers such as daisies, sunflowers and lavender are appealing to hoverflies.
Avoiding pesticides: Pesticides can negatively impact hoverflies as well as other beneficial insects.
Offer water: A shallow container of water with pebbles or sticks may offer drinking foraged hoverflies.
By learning what Marmalade Hoverflies do for the environment and calling them to your garden you can help improve how our ecosystem functions.