Have you met Hoverflies?

Imitating wasps but a sting we have not,
bright bands warn without being caught.
Given a fly’s head and large eyes to spy,
unlike a wasps’ four, two wings to fly.

Hovering around flowers, nectar we seek,
much like bees pollinating, yet so meek.
Our larvae feed on aphids, save your crop,
in being beneficial we’re right at the top.

So next time we hover, please don’t swat,
we work so hard for you, give it a thought.
Welcome us in gardens of fragrant flowers,
For a world you call yours, is as much ours!

[Featuring: Hoverfly (Family: Syrphidae), enticed by flowers of the Tulsi or Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum); Mumbai]

– Narendra Nayak © 2020

27 thoughts on “Have you met Hoverflies?”

  5. What a lovely poem! All that you write, just are….
    Photographs are just too good…great captures of the tiny Hoverfly and dainty Tulsi flowers.
    And, I had no idea about these insects. All this while, I thought anything smaller than a bee that hangs around flowers has to be a wasp.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so very much for such a generous appreciation! 🙏🏻
      The insect world is so vast and filled with so many tiny surprises that even after 3 decades of having taken meaningful interest I still find that I know so little! Nature teaches us much humility. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. I’m so fond of hoverflies. I only learned about them after I began paying attention to flowers, and noticed that not everything hovering around was a bumblebee. I really enjoyed your poem, and the photos are a great accompaniment.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Ahh yes…we can learn so much about insects by just observing flowers – sometimes specific flowers attract particular species of winged ones!
      Thank you so much, Ma’am, for reading and commenting. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the post. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Mrityunjay, for your kind words of appreciation! 🙏🏻
      You have an excellent blog there and I found your writings to be refreshingly unique. I look forward to reading more of your work in the future. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment