Flies Migrate Globally, Pollinate Crops, Control Pests
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- Flies migrate globally each spring, with some beginning life in Iran and ending in the UK, or hatching in India before moving to Mongolia, China, and Siberia.
- Hoverflies, one of 108 fly families in the British Isles, include over half of all fly families that contain pollinator species, challenging the assumption that bees are the primary pollinators.
- Biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) pollinate the plant used to produce chocolate, a role rarely recognized despite their contribution to a globally valued crop.
- Punk flies (Tachinidae) larvae prey on oak processionary moth caterpillars, which cause defoliation and health risks due to their toxic hairs, helping control this invasive species in the UK.
- Phoridae flies have been deployed in the US to target invasive fire ants, acting as species-specific biological controls that leave native species unharmed.
- Bee flies (Bombyliidae) adults pollinate flowers while their larvae parasitize other insects, contributing to balanced ecosystems without disrupting native populations.
Why it matters: Reframing flies as essential contributors rather than nuisances changes how we approach pest management and conservation—agriculture and urban planning stand to benefit from leveraging their natural roles in pollination and biocontrol, reducing reliance on chemicals. The overlooked value of these species affects biodiversity strategies and public health responses to insect-borne threats.
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