Run aphid run!

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Subtitle: Watch a hover fly larva eat the aphids on my cucumbers

Hover flies (Syrphidae) are common insects in gardens. We see them flying around flowers – hovering in mid-air like mini helicopters. The adult hover flies feed on nectar and pollen and are important pollinators.

Hover fly larvae are ferocious aphid-eating maggots. Hover fly larvae are the most effective aphid predators in my garden. They can be a bit hard to see, especially when they are in their early larval stages, but a hand lens of some sort will help.

I hope you enjoy the video. I’ve wanted to shoot some decent footage of hover fly larvae for ages!

I am trying something a bit different with this video. I’m not in it! Let me know what you think in the comments.

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8 Replies to “Run aphid run!”

  1. Interesting video Dennis- I have oodles of Hoverflies in my garden but have never spotted their larvae (yet!) I’ll keep my peepers open and take a magnifier with me next time I’m out and about. Oh and for the record I prefer to ‘see’ you as well as the insects in your video’s.

  4. Ahh! But your hand IS in the video!! Really enjoy all your videos but also your Pests and Diseases book that I got this week. Very helpful.