Wild about Gardens campaign asks us all to become hoverfly heroes

Hoverflies need our help, say Royal Horticultural Society and The Wildlife Trusts

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The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and The Wildlife Trusts are calling on gardeners across the country to help save hoverflies. This fly family is the second most significant pollinator after bees - some species of hoverfly are known to visit more flowers than bees. These insects are unsung heroes of many of our ecosystems. Hoverflies visit 72% of crops globally[i] which they either pollinate or protect by eating sap-sucking aphids. Additionally, they pollinate wildflowers, are food for birds and even help break down organic matter in gardens. Yet, intensive agriculture, harmful pesticides, urban development and climate change have all taken their toll. Hoverfly distribution has seen a 44% decline between 1980 to 2020[ii] and in 2022 the International Union for the Conservation of Nature added hoverflies to its Red List of threatened species.