The most important predators

Adult hoverflies are pure pollinators and are distinguished by their typical hlack-and-yellow colouring and characteristic flight behaviour. They can hover motionless in the air and then shoot off like a rocket if alarmed. 

The larvae lay their eggs individually in aphid and leafsucker colonies. The larvae are headless and are greenish, reddish and brownish in colour. They are voracious and are one of the most important aphid predators. 

Hoverfly larvae feed on aphids and leafsucker larvae. 

Apart from the species which cause damage to plants, there are also a few useful species whose larvae feed on aphids. 

There are over 5000 species of beetle in central Europe, some of which are useful and others harmful. 

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