|Toxomerus geminatuson Phytolacca americana*|
|resting on Gaura lindheimeri|
When not hovering or darting about they can be seen resting on leaves and petals of plants. That's one of the best times to get a photo. I take dozens of shots to get one that highlight their characteristics. The above photo is one of my favorites and it clearly shows the hoverfly's characteristic short antenna. If I didn't know before that this wasn't a bee I would know now, flies have stubby little antennas! (more on them at We can't all be pretty pollinators)
|Hoverflies have only one set of exquisite wings|
The next time you're in the garden look for small hovering and darting critters, note the yellow and black warning stripes; enormous eyes; stubby antenae; and, a single pair of exquisite wings.
Be glad they've taken up residence, you're doing the right things for them and they're doing the right things for your garden!
Of course you all know the one of the very best things you can do for pollinators is to never, ever, ever, ever , I mean never, use pesticides!
* found in Eastern Canada south to Texas
Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.