I was recently surprised to find my plant of Aupouri coastal five-finger (Pseudopanax lessonii) swarming with flies.
Flies, including Calliphora vicina (the larger, blue fly) and Oxysarcodexia varia (with yellow-black stripes), swarming on the flowers of Aupouri coastal five-finger. My thanks to entomological colleagues for identifying the flies. (c) Leon Perrie
The flies were attracted to the flowers presumably by a feed of nectar on what was a hot, summer day.
I could see at least three fly species, plus a bumblebee.
Pollination is not a role we often credit to flies. I’m hoping these ones were effective and I get a bumper seed crop.
