syrphid supply support - Ask Extension
I'm trying to go native in my yard and think I have seen syrphid fly larva which I would like to increase. According to my research, plants the encour...
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syrphid supply support #868100
Asked May 12, 2024, 5:21 PM EDT
I'm trying to go native in my yard and think I have seen syrphid fly larva which I would like to increase. According to my research, plants the encourage and support syrphid flies include buckwheat. Is that only the grain-like producing buckwheat, polygonaceae, or does that also include the eriogonum plants such as sulfur-flower buckwheat of which I already have a few scattered about my yard?
Jackson County Oregon
Expert Response
Yes it would include Eriogonum species. Here is more about their habitat preferences.
Syrphid fly larvae prey primarily on aphids of apples and stone fruit but also will attack other soft-bodied insects such as scales. Some species prey on thrips. They are attracted to wild carrot or Queen Anne's lace, wild mustard, sweet alyssum, coriander, dill, and other small-flowered herbs. Syrphid fly adults generally prefer the shallow open flowers of the aster, buttercup, mustard, carnation, rose, and parsley families feeding with their relatively short mouthparts. Other plants attractive to syrphid fly adults being used in some areas include buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), coriander (Coriandrum sativa), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima), white mustard (Brassica hirta), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) among others.
Syrphid fly larvae prey primarily on aphids of apples and stone fruit but also will attack other soft-bodied insects such as scales. Some species prey on thrips. They are attracted to wild carrot or Queen Anne's lace, wild mustard, sweet alyssum, coriander, dill, and other small-flowered herbs. Syrphid fly adults generally prefer the shallow open flowers of the aster, buttercup, mustard, carnation, rose, and parsley families feeding with their relatively short mouthparts. Other plants attractive to syrphid fly adults being used in some areas include buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), coriander (Coriandrum sativa), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima), white mustard (Brassica hirta), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) among others.
https://treefruit.wsu.edu/crop-protection/opm/syrphid-flies-hover-flies-flower-flies/
