Hoverfly Lagoons - 2016 Sign-up |
Hoverflies can be found in every continent of the world (except Antarctica) and there are over 250 species in Britain alone. Despite the fact that many species cleverly mimic wasps and bees in order to prevent being eaten by predators, hoverflies are harmless and do not sting. In fact, they are an important species in our gardens as they help to pollinate many plants, including certain crops.
Unfortunately, some hoverfly species may be missing out on suitable egg-laying sites in many gardens. For example, certain species (e.g. Erstalis spp. and Myathropa spp.) have semi-aquatic larvae, which need an area of water, or “hoverfly lagoon”, with a high organic matter content. These semi-aquatic larvae are known as long-tailed larvae, and are distinctive and particularly interesting as they extend a long breathing tube from their posterior which acts like a snorkel – enabling them to breathe as they swim down to eat bacteria from the decaying organic matter.
For this project, we are looking for volunteers to create a simple hoverfly lagoon in their gardens in the Spring of 2016. (Please note that these lagoons can smell with the decaying material, so this project may be best suited for people with larger gardens, or gardens where one corner can be designated as a research site!)
To get involved, you will need:
- A large drinks bottle such as a 4 or 6 pint milk bottle or a 1.5 – 2 litre soft drink/water bottle.
- A craft knife or scissors and a pen
- Kitchen weighing scales
- Organic matter – either grass cuttings, nettles, wood chips or saw dust, hay, or leaf litter)
- A few sticks
- Dry leaf litter
- A seed tray with holes in the base
- A separate basin or tray with no holes in the bottom
- A jam jar
If you would like to take part in our Hoverfly Lagoon Project 2016, please fill out the form below. will NOT share your name, address, email or telephone number with anyone else (Data Protection Act 1998).
Unfortunately, some hoverfly species may be missing out on suitable egg-laying sites in many gardens. For example, certain species (e.g. Erstalis spp. and Myathropa spp.) have semi-aquatic larvae, which need an area of water, or “hoverfly lagoon”, with a high organic matter content. These semi-aquatic larvae are known as long-tailed larvae, and are distinctive and particularly interesting as they extend a long breathing tube from their posterior which acts like a snorkel – enabling them to breathe as they swim down to eat bacteria from the decaying organic matter.
For this project, we are looking for volunteers to create a simple hoverfly lagoon in their gardens in the Spring of 2016. (Please note that these lagoons can smell with the decaying material, so this project may be best suited for people with larger gardens, or gardens where one corner can be designated as a research site!)
To get involved, you will need:
- A large drinks bottle such as a 4 or 6 pint milk bottle or a 1.5 – 2 litre soft drink/water bottle.
- A craft knife or scissors and a pen
- Kitchen weighing scales
- Organic matter – either grass cuttings, nettles, wood chips or saw dust, hay, or leaf litter)
- A few sticks
- Dry leaf litter
- A seed tray with holes in the base
- A separate basin or tray with no holes in the bottom
- A jam jar
If you would like to take part in our Hoverfly Lagoon Project 2016, please fill out the form below. will NOT share your name, address, email or telephone number with anyone else (Data Protection Act 1998).
The 2016 Hoverfly Lagoon project will run from May until October, although lagoons should be set up ASAP to give organic matter time to rot.
Keen volunteers will then be given the option of leaving their lagoons out after collecting data in October, and then searching them again in late February (email reminders will be sent out) to assess overwinter survival of hoverfly pupae. You can then continue to survey the leaf litter trays every month from February for pupae and begin checking for larvae again in May.
If you sign up, we will send you full details about the project and what to do to take part in the Spring of 2016.
Keen volunteers will then be given the option of leaving their lagoons out after collecting data in October, and then searching them again in late February (email reminders will be sent out) to assess overwinter survival of hoverfly pupae. You can then continue to survey the leaf litter trays every month from February for pupae and begin checking for larvae again in May.
If you sign up, we will send you full details about the project and what to do to take part in the Spring of 2016.
This project is part of The Buzz Club, A UK-wide citizen science charity generating usable data on pollinators, pollination and much more! You can find out more about how to join The Buzz Club at http://thebuzzclub.uk/join-us
Thank you!