Bees get a lot of credit as pollinators, but flies can also carry pollen from flower to flower.
Take this peacock fly (Tephritidae). Although it gets its common name from its colorful wings, its eyes are also reflect rainbow hues.
The hairs on the thorax trap pollen while the fly feeds on nectar.
Can you see the droplet of nectar it is holding? It looks like it is blowing a bubble.
The nectar fuels its flight to another flower where it might drop some of the pollen it has picked up.
Have you ever seen a peacock fly?
Leave a Reply