Aquaponics - Hover fly

Since I was a kid, I always loved these little critters. I think they are called hover flies.

If I've identified these guys correctly, they are the perfect package.

From what I have read, they are attracted to honeydew, (a sticky substance excreted by aphids of which I have plenty) they lay eggs on the leaves with honeydew on them, and the eggs hatch into aphid eating monsters. It seems they eat up to 400 aphids before having a little nap and waking up as an egg laying, hovering, pollen eater.



This probably explains why I don't seem to have a problem with pollination any more.

I also don't seem to have a problem with aphids any more.

The larvae eat aphids, the adults are pollinators, and they hover perfectly.

I cant think of a better bug.

Aquaponics - Visitor gecko

I love it when I get new visitors to me aquaponics system.

I get particularly happy if my visitor is also a predator.

I found this gecko in amongst the scoria trying to look inconspicuous.

I grew up in Papua New Guinea, and always enjoyed the company of anything that ate insects.

Gecko's everywhere, and a huge green tree frog that lived at the top of our front steps.

I'd love to see some frogs in the system, but there isn't much chance of that where I'm living now.





Instead I think I might look into trying to get some stingless Australian native bees.

They don't do the predator thing, but they also don't have a sting, so might be fun to have around.


not just Aquaponics - Visitor gecko - 120 things in 20 years