For decades, the plight of honeybees has dominated the conversation around pollinator decline. Yet, a far more diverse and often overlooked group of insects – hoverflies – are quietly playing a critical role in global food production and may be crucial for ensuring agricultural resilience. These tiny, often wasp-like creatures are not just a backup plan; in many ways, they outperform bees in certain conditions and offer unique benefits that are only now being fully understood.
Beyond Honeybees: The Scale of the Problem
The collapse of bee populations has been well-documented, but this focus obscures the fact that hoverflies already pollinate roughly 72% of the world’s food crops, contributing an estimated $300 billion to the global economy annually. Unlike bees, which require careful management and are vulnerable to disease, hoverflies thrive in adverse conditions, migrate over vast distances, and even provide natural pest control in their larval stage. This makes them a remarkably efficient and adaptable solution for farmers facing increasing environmental pressures.
The Hoverfly Advantage: Adaptability and Efficiency
Hoverflies boast several advantages over bees. They aren’t deterred by bad weather and can migrate thousands of miles, dispersing pollen across large areas. Their larvae also decompose dead matter and devour pests, reducing the need for synthetic pesticides. This dual role – pest control as larvae and pollination as adults – makes them a uniquely sustainable asset to agriculture.
One study in Japan found hoverflies pollinating pear orchards even when bees refused to work in cooler temperatures. Furthermore, research indicates that combining honeybees with released drone flies in avocado fields nearly doubled yields. This demonstrates that pollination isn’t a zero-sum game; the presence of both insects creates a more complete and effective system.
The Science of Training: Enhancing Hoverfly Performance
Entomologists are even exploring ways to enhance hoverfly pollination through training. Researchers at the University of Greenwich have successfully conditioned hoverflies to associate specific scents with sugary rewards, making them more efficient pollinators. This Pavlovian approach suggests that commercially bred hoverflies could be trained to target specific crops, maximizing their effectiveness.
The Migration Advantage: Long-Distance Pollination
Hoverflies are also unique in their migratory patterns. They travel long distances, sometimes carrying pollen from one continent to another. Radar systems across Europe now track these mass migrations, revealing that up to 4 billion hoverflies travel over southern England annually – a number seven times greater than all migrating birds. This long-distance pollination is vital for maintaining genetic diversity and helping plants adapt to climate change.
The Decline and the Solution: Mass Rearing
Like bees, hoverfly populations are declining due to pollution, pesticides, and habitat loss. However, a Spanish start-up called Polyfly is pioneering the world’s first industrial-scale hoverfly breeding facility. Capable of producing a billion pollinators per year, Polyfly aims to provide growers with a viable, environmentally sound way to boost crop yields.
What Can Be Done?
The future of pollination may depend on recognizing the value of these often-overlooked insects. Protecting hoverfly habitats – including decaying wood, stagnant ponds, and wildflower-rich fields – is crucial. Farmers can also encourage biodiversity by planting trees and allowing some areas to remain wild. As scientists continue to unravel the secrets of hoverfly behavior, these tiny drones may become indispensable allies in the fight for food security.
In conclusion, hoverflies are not merely a substitute for bees; they are a complementary and often superior pollinator with unique advantages. Their adaptability, efficiency, and migratory capabilities make them a critical asset to agriculture, and their potential is only beginning to be realized. By recognizing their importance and investing in their conservation, we can secure a more resilient and sustainable food future.
