Bugging You From San Juan Island

Nuptial Gifts

Hey everyone! I’ve been home sick for a few days, so I am re-blogging on of my favorite flies for Fantastic Fly Friday. These flies are also one of our incredible early pollinators on San Juan Island. If you have plum or other flowering fruit trees, look for them. They are more valuable than bees! Of course, I am a bit prejudiced here. The great thing about flies like this is they have more than one role. They pollinate, but they also predate other small bodied insects. Mostly, I think this species goes after another pollinating fly (March flies in the family Bibionidae). They definitely seem to have a preference for those in my experience. Why else might they be of value? Well, in the end, these flies are also utilized as food by many various species of birds feeding nestlings in spring. Appreciate the ecosystem at work. Avoid using sprays (even Bt) on your trees. Nature already has it handled for you.