Hoverfly key to plant pollination

Welsh scientists are making strides in understanding the puzzle of plant pollination thanks to the study of the hoverfly.

In a seven-year project, Andrew Lucas from Swansea University has been able to identify vital behaviours to bring us a step closer to knowing how the complex process of pollination all fits together.

By analysing the pollen carried on the bodies of hoverflies, researchers isolated which plants the pollen comes from using DNA bar-coding techniques. The research forms part of the Saving Pollinators programme.

In this study, hoverflies were analysed in Welsh Rhôs pastures. Helping to give advice to landowners and farmers, the research revealed the creatures mostly visited the same 65 different types of plant, with brambles showing up as a key plant. Samantha Herbert