Hoverflies Contribute so much to July
Adult hoverflies feed on flower nectar but it is their larvae that live on plant leaves and eat greenflies. They are wonderful in flight and in keeping aphids at bay. Never spray roses or other flowers, wait until July to find them doing the job for you! Recorded July 2021.
Sadly, there are fewer hoverflies July 2024 but Ladybirds, Tits and Sparrows have gorged on the multitudes of aphids for their nestlings in April, May and June of this year 2024. Perhaps there aren’t enough left for the hoverflies?
Once again in 2025, the lack of hoverflies is very worrying – a very wet two years have resulted in many insect depletions. There are however, numerous Bumble Bees on my lavender.
Sadly, depleted numbers of Hoverflies continue to be extremely concerning. This year it is the excessive heat of May, June and now July 2026. Once again Tits and Sparrows have been eating aphids throughout April, May and June. There are still no Honey or Solitary Bees on the lavender, but there are some Bumble Bees. The excessive heat has also caused Honeysuckle to finish flowering a few weeks ago.