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Hover fly

Melanostoma mellinum

Small dark hover fly with yellowish markings. Larvae feast on aphids; adults pollinate flowers year-round in temperate Bay Area conditions.

Plants that support Hover fly

8 plants

California vanilla grass

Anthoxanthum occidentale

moderate

grass

larval host plant; larvae feed on aphids associated with grass

Bay Area native

Creeping Fescue

Festuca rubra

moderate

grass

Adult pollen feeder; provides natural pest control; spring-early summer

Bay Area native

Oneleaf Foamflower

Tiarella trifoliata ssp. unifoliata

moderate

perennial herb

Pollinating fly visiting flowers during mid-summer bloom

Bay Area native

Pacific Black-snakeroot

Sanicula crassicaulis

moderate

perennial herb

Spring pollen and nectar foraging

Bay Area native

Pacific Starflower

Lysimachia latifolia

moderate

perennial herb

Early season nectar source for emerging hover flies

Bay Area native

Pink Honeysuckle

Lonicera hispidula

moderate

vine

Adult nectar feeding during bloom season

Bay Area native

Western Sword Fern

Polystichum munitum

moderate

fern

Uses fern fronds for shelter and overwintering

Bay Area native

Yellow-eyed-grass

Sisyrinchium californicum

moderate

perennial herb

Early season pollen source for adult nutrition and egg-laying females

Bay Area native