Page 26 - ALG Issue 3 2020

biodiversity
Biodiversity on the plot
The primary purpose of an allotment plot is to grow food, but, as we lucky plotholders know, they also offer many other benefits including making a contribution to local biodiversity. A plotholder, who manages their plot with wildlife in mind encouraging beneficial insects, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals such as hedgehogs, will
also benefit from a reduction in pests and an increase in productivity. Associations with areas of land unsuitable for food growing can also contribute by creating specific habitats for wildlife and also encourage their plotholders to follow good practice. Below is the first in a series of articles looking at the different insects and animals that help us to grow our own food.
Please email diane@nsalg.org.uk with articles about how you support biodiversity on your plot.
Hoverflies
Hoverflies are one of gardeners’ best friends but are often overlooked. Did you know that they pollinate flowers, the larvae eat aphids and are totally harmless? They mimic bees and wasps in appearance for safety which often confuses people into thinking they will sting. A quick tip to identify a hoverfly is to look at their eyes. Bees/wasps have eyes on the side of the head
like headphones; hoverflies are on
the front of the head like sunglasses. Male hoverfly eyes mainly meet in the middle, female eyes separate. They also have much shorter antennae too.
I recently watched one carefully lay one egg next to each group of aphids – pest controlatitsbest. Differentspecies prey on pests such as thrips, scale insects and caterpillars.
Hoverflies have smaller mouth parts compared to bees. Flowers that attract them include calendula, forget-me-nots, poached egg plant, rudbeckia, fennel, Michaelmas daisies, single dahlias,
tagetes, achilleas, sunflowers and ivy. They love a crop that has gone to flower such as rocket, brassicas, carrots, parsnips and leeks, plus you can harvest the seeds. They particularly like yellow flowers, so why not leave a wild patch with buttercups and dandelions?
Many lay their eggs in pockets of water (rat tailed larvae). You can make your own hoverfly lagoon by simply putting grass cuttings in a bowl, adding some sticks and some leaf mulch on top. Remember to keep it topped up (it will get smelly too).
You can record your sightings on iRecord or on UK hoverflies Facebook group alongwithgridreference,dateandphoto – they will help you identify it too.
So next time you see a hoverfly, take a closer look.
Rachael Hill
King George V Allotments, Manchester
Bees/wasps have eyes on the side of the head like head- phones; hoverflies are on the front of the head like sunglasses
Hoverfly lagoon
Hoverfly egg next to aphids
Hoverfly
26 Allotment and Leisure Gardener