The Hoverfly Hop

Walk preview

1. 

   Step 1: We begin our walk at the ornamental planting beds opposite the St James's Cafe.

2. 

   Step 2: Our ornamental planting beds provide a beautiful display of flowers, including those that provide nectar and pollen for pollinators.

3. 

   Step 3: In spring and summer you can see a wide variety of bee species feeding here, as well as hoverflies, butterflies and day-flying moths.

4. 

   Step 4: The marmalade hoverfly is Britain's most widespread hoverfly, recognisable by its wasp-like orange-and-black banding and large red eyes.

5. 

   Step 5: You can tell a hoverfly from a wasp by its single pair of wings vs a wasp's two pairs, and it's ability to hover stationary in mid air.

6. 

   Step 6: Other species like the bumblebee hoverfly have evolved to resemble bees. This mimicry of fiercer insects helps protect them from predators.