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  • 18 hours ago
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00:00You've never heard of it, but this little bug is super beneficial for your garden.
00:05We often picture ladybugs and bees, but the unsung hoverfly boosts pollination and natural pest control,
00:12enhancing plant health when encouraged.
00:15Hoverflies, also called syrphid flies, resemble bees or wasps, yet lack stingers.
00:20Hover pollinate as adults, and their larvae hunt aphids.
00:25They're essential pollinators, visiting herbs, fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals,
00:30and flocking to umbellifers like dill, fennel, and yarrow to boost yields.
00:35Larvae devour aphids, thrips, and more, often hundreds each,
00:39so encouraging hoverflies can curb infestations and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.
00:45Plant open, nectar-rich blooms like marigolds, alyssum, and cosmos.
00:50Add dill, parsley, and coriander.
00:52Keep blooms continuous, provide water, and skip chemicals.
00:58Hoverflies undergo complete metamorphosis with four distinct stages, egg, larvae, pupa, and adult.
01:06Eggs are laid near aphids, so larvae feed, then pupate and emerge.
01:10Create habitats with flowering plants, tall grasses, shrubs, and undisturbed areas.
01:16Stagger blooms across seasons, and offer pebble-filled water dishes.
01:19Seeing hoverflies hover and land with precision, and larvae feast on aphids,
01:25reveals an intricate web of life in a garden.
01:29Often mistaken for bees or wasps, hoverflies neither sting nor bite,
01:33and can be active from spring to fall.
01:35Support them seasonally.
01:37Supporting hoverflies strengthens biodiversity and resilience.
01:41As a result, diverse gardens grow healthier and more productive
01:45with hoverflies anchoring a robust ecosystem.
01:49With habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change looming,
01:52gardeners can help by creating hoverfly-friendly gardens.
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