ARE STRIPEY SPIES KEEPING A WATCH ON OUR GARDEN ACTIVITIES?

HAVE you ever had the feeling that you are being watched?

- BY ALAN WRIGHT Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

At the moment, my garden has a real buzz but when I go out there, certain insects are keeping a close eye on me.

I am talking about hoverflies. Those stripey insects with the big brown eyes, that hover in the air watching our every move.

It's almost like they are on a piece of string, that is tightened slightly, lifting them up if you get too close.

They are impossible to photograph with my phone camera, which makes them even more mysterious.

Are these beautiful insects really spies?

Somebody is keen to know my garden movements - what I am planting and what is going into my recycling bin.

It’s not that interesting but I am obviously planting the right flowers to attract insects.

My favourite of the 270 hoverfly species is the marmalade hoverfly, named after the orange and black bands across its body.