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-mimicking hoverfly.This has got to be one of my favourite insects. Despite its size (one of Britain's largest flies), it has no common name, apart from the rather inadequate 'belted hoverfly' - a back translation from its Latin name Volucella zonaria.The lack of any

nestling in the overlapping planks.These are the puparia of hoverflies, probably Epistrophe elegans, a distinctive little pale orange and brown wasp mimic, often the first species to appear on the wing in March and April. Resembling smooth translucent

respectively).While I'm not going to enter the record books for growing the tallest sunflower, I reckon I'm in with a chance of setting a new World Record for The Greatest Number Of Hoverflies You Can Squeeze Into A Four-Metre-Squared Garden. Everywhere I look

In the bright heat of this week's baking sunlight, a buzz of black and orange fur announces the arrival of what I think is one our cuddliest hoverflies. Merodon equestis is a large (12 - 15mm long), stout, bumblebee mimic, and although not quite

I'm not ashamed to admit that I like dandelions. I think their flowers are beautiful, their leaves and form attractive (indeed considerably more so than many so-called ornamentals) and hoverflies seem to like them too.They can be a pain when

Sunday has been warm enough to sit outside, in a tee-shirt, so it's not surprising that there are still insects flying about. Today it was flies that caught my eye.Episyrphus balteatus is perhaps the commonest and most distinctive hoverfly

and hoverflies are still on the wing, foraging for food. Nectar provides insects with energy to fly and builds them up for winter hibernation. By growing just one source of nectar-rich food, you can improve these insects' chances of surviving the cold months

, butterflies and hoverflies. Its strong scent can also deter aphids. Plant with carrots and leeks to confuse pests.LavenderWormwood, Artemisia absinthium, is a strongly scented herb that can deter aphids and flea beetles from attacking neighbouring plants. Its

candied stems to decorate cakes. Early flowering and rich in nectar, angelica is a vital food source for early bees and hoverflies. Birds also eat its seeds in autumn.AngelicaCarum carvi is a hardy biennial with feathery bright green leaves. It produces

them outside the bin and that was when they arrived. When I moved house I brought my compost heap with me, and one rainy evening I watched two fat, yellow slugs slither down the wall to move into their new home.A couple of weeks ago I watched a hoverfly