Wildlife Welfare

Wild Hoverfly Welfare and Conservation

Hoverflies provide important ecosystem services and may have welfare relevance given evidence for insect sentience. Conservation management supporting hoverfly populations is a welfare and ecosystem action.

Key Facts

Over 280 hoverfly species occur in the UK with varied ecological roles
Hoverfly larvae have diverse ecologies including aphid predation and organic matter decomposition
Flower-rich habitats support adult hoverflies that feed on pollen and nectar
Habitat loss and pesticide use have reduced hoverfly populations in many areas
Hoverflies are important pollinators second only to bees in some habitats

Welfare Considerations

Growing evidence for insect sentience suggests hoverfly welfare deserves consideration alongside their ecological importance. Habitat management supporting hoverfly populations benefits both individual insects and ecosystem function.

What You Can Do

Plant diverse flowering plants that provide hoverfly nectar resources
Avoid pesticide use in gardens to protect hoverfly populations
Learn to identify common hoverfly species through citizen science recording
Support flower-rich habitat conservation that benefits hoverflies and other pollinators