Syrph-ing the Continents: Hoverflies, Our Unsung Agricultural Heroes

This talk will begin with an introduction to Syrphidae, an important family of true flies, commonly known as hover flies or flower flies. As we dive in, we’ll explore the diverse ecosystem services these flies provide throughout their life cycle, from pest control to pollination. A major focus of the talk will be hoverflies' remarkable ability to migrate long distances, distributing these services across vast geographic areas.

While many questions remain about the migratory behaviour of species within this family, recent advances in technology and research methods will be discussed that offer promising new insights. These developments give us hope for what lies ahead in uncovering the secrets of these small but mighty insects.

Samm Reynolds is a PhD candidate at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. She studies native pollinator conservation in agriculture throughout southern Ontario and has a particular interest in native bees and syrphids (hover flies). Her goal is to understand pollinator-habitat interactions at a species level and to bring this research to the public through education campaigns and pushing for improved pollinator protection policy.

The 1-hour event will consist of a presentation followed by a Q&A with the tutor using questions provided by the live audience. The presentation will be recorded and made available through the entoLIVE blog alongside a write-up of the Q&A and any links to further info.

entoLIVE is delivered by the Biological Recording Company, British Entomological & Natural History Society, Royal Entomological Society and Amateur Entomologists' Society, with support from Buglife, Field Studies Council and NBN Trust.

This event is a one-off and will not be repeated. If you can't attend the live event, you don't need to miss out. Book a space and once we've processed the event content after the live event you will be sent a link to the content online.