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Image Title: A hover fly uses its vacuum-like mouth to remove pollen from an anther of a Phacelia (Hydrophyllaceae) flower in the Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve, USA.
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Image Credit: Anna Jacobsen, Michigan State University
Intended End User: Teacher, Student
License Details: BSA - Terms for Image Use
Copyright held by: Jacobsen, BSA
Date Created: 4/2/2005
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About the Image

The arid habitat of the Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve, USA, appears dry and lifeless for much of the year, but following the rainy season it bursts with the brilliant colors of the spring wildflower bloom. Many insects can be seen flying about pollinating flowers as they collect nectar and pollen. In this photo, a hover fly can be seen collecting pollen from a Phacelia (Hydrophyllaceae) flower. The fly has a short thick vacuum-like mouth, which it uses to suck up pollen from the flower anther. Although hover flies eat much of the pollen they collect, they also provide a valuable service to flowers by transferring pollen from one flower to another.

National Science Foundation  Development Supported by the National Science Foundation