“Hoverfly Lagoons are artificial tree rot-holes or bodies of water that some hoverflies use as a breeding site. They are cheap and simple, essentially a container with decaying organic matter and water, and they originated as an idea for enthusing and involving citizens (hence the endearing name) to collect scientific data to monitor our important and declining pollinators. Moreover, they increase habitat and diversity in gardens, and awareness and appreciation of hoverflies and other lesser-known insects.
The Hoverfly Lagoons project was invented, and is run by myself at The Buzz Club, a charitable organisation which is part of the University of Sussex. I have created this website as a way of making information and data available to those interested, and for me to have an outlet for my ongoing and constantly developing Lagoon tales.”
Ellen L. Rotheray
Senior Lecturer, University of Sussex
ResearchGate: Ellen L. Rotheray
Twitter @ellenrotheray
BUZZ CLUB Hoverly Lagoons project correspondence:
Twitter @hoverflylagoons
Email: [email protected]
Wonderful project that I would like to implement in our wild garden. Once the containers are in place, am I right in think that the water would need to be topped up in this warm weather? Where are the bet locations to place the containers?
Thanks in advance.
Lagoons will likely need topped up in hot weather, and they are best located in partial shade under a tree or bush. Please see our FAQs at the bottom of our Buzz Club project page: http://www.thebuzzclub.uk/hoverfly-lagoons.
I’ve notices quite a few hoverflies around our newly created pond, I’m so glad you’ve made it very clear how to get these in the garden and help them thrive. Our pond doesn’t have much in the way of vegetation yet but they have still come, I have not identified them yet but are the yellow and black striped more yellow than black.
I wanted to have some pollinators in our garden but that wouldn’t harm our 2 year old, I know in Australia they have stingless bees but they obviously cannot exist in the UK for various reasons.
I looked previously online if it was possible to purchase the larvae but it is said to be next to impossible so was quite disheartened.
I will definitely be making some lagoons and hiding them in our natural raised boarder that is already filled with bumbles, mainly on the sage flowers.
The flies are here so I need to make them a home. I’m in Liverpool by the way.
Great – no need to purchase the larvae, build the Lagoons and they are very likely to appear for free!