Wild about Gardens campaign asks us all to become hoverfly heroes

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Kent Wildlife Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and 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 globallyi 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 2020ii 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.  

Ellen Tout, Wilder Gardens Officer, from Kent Wildlife Trust, says:  "People often talk about the importance of bees, but hoverflies are really important pollinators which tend to get overlooked. Hoverflies can benefit our gardens, and in return our gardens can help support them to thrive. Our gardens cover more land in the UK than nature reserves, so a pollinator patch, small wildflower area or water can make a huge difference." 

Vicki Hird, author of Rebugging the Planet and strategic agriculture lead for The Wildlife Trusts, says:"Hoverflies are the hidden heroes of our gardens and countryside – but whatever their shape, size or disguise, they are critical for our food security.  They can thrive in well-managed woodlands and wetlands, but there is also so much we could be doing in our gardens to help.  

"Providing a range of flowers to feed on through the year, ponds for larvae to grow in, dead wood to lay eggs in and even a few aphid pests for them to feed on, and you will have these gardeners' friends for life. And they are so helpful, and don't bite or sting. You can be a hoverfly champion by telling friends and family to cherish them.”