Wildlife Welfare

Wild Hoverfly Survey and Welfare

Why hoverflies matter for ecosystem welfare and how to support their populations in gardens.

Key Facts

Over 280 hoverfly species occur in the UK, ranging from large bee-mimics to tiny sun-lovers
Hoverfly larvae occupy diverse ecological niches - aquatic pollution indicators, wood rotters, and aphid predators
Many hoverfly species are declining due to pesticide use, habitat loss, and reduced flower availability
Hoverfly lagoons - buckets of decaying plant material in water - support rare aquatic-larval species

Welfare Considerations

Hoverfly welfare - and their critical pollination ecosystem service - depends on diverse flower availability and pesticide-free habitats. While individual hoverfly welfare is uncertain, the scale of insect pollinator decline justifies precautionary welfare consideration and habitat support.

What You Can Do

Create a hoverfly lagoon using a bucket of water and decaying plant material
Plant diverse native flowers including umbellifers, open-faced composites, and willowherbs
Participate in the Hoverfly Recording Scheme to contribute to population monitoring