I’ve already sung the praises of hover flies and dragonflies, so it should not surprise anyone that I can find room in my heart to appreciate the varied other flies that grace my gardens. I get it, when we think of pollinators, we tend to think of bees and butterflies; they are glorious after all. But flies, yes, flies—those often-overlooked, sometimes-reviled insects—are essential allies in a thriving wildlife garden. Believe it or not, flies offer remarkable ecological benefits, from pollination to pest control, and even a touch of unexpected beauty to our landscapes. Flies in the garden are our helpful, if sometimes annoying, friends.

The Unsung Heroes of Pollination

You may be surprised to learn that flies are second only to bees in importance when it comes to pollination. They beat out butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, and all of our other favorite pollinators.

As I discussed in an earlier blog (see link above), hover flies, also known as flower flies or syrphid flies (family Syrphidae), are especially valuable. They often mimic bees or wasps in appearance, but they’re actually completely harmless. They feed on nectar and transport pollen between flowers as they go. In cool or wet conditions when bees and butterflies may be inactive, hoverflies step up and ensure your native plants still get pollinated.

This Margined Calligrapher is an important — and beautiful — pollinator in my garden.

Other fly families also pitch in. Blow flies (Calliphoridae) and flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), while not as elegant, also play roles in pollinating. Blow flies can carry twice as much pollen as European honeybees.

Some native plants have evolved specifically to attract flies with odors and colors that mimic the scent and appearance of decaying organic matter. At my last property, I had a voodoo lily in my garden that attracted nothing but flies and my puzzled dog, wondering what had died. Pawpaw trees are largely pollinated by flies and beetles, just one example of the many plant species that rely on flies for reproduction.

A Wide Range of Species and Benefits

Flies are an incredibly diverse order of insects, with over 17,000 known species in North America alone. This diversity has allowed them to fill many ecological niches. Beyond pollination, flies contribute to decomposition, nutrient cycling, and even predation. Larvae of some hoverfly species feast on aphids and other soft-bodied pests, providing a natural form of pest control without the need for sprays or interventions.

This appropriately-named Common Micropanther (Atomosia puella) is a predator that will help maintain balance in your garden ecosystem. It’s sleek like a black panther.

Meanwhile, crane flies, with their delicate, stilt-like legs, don’t bite or sting—they serve as food for birds and amphibians and help decompose organic matter in the soil. Soldier flies, tachinid flies, and midges all have their part to play, creating a complex and balanced garden ecosystem.

Flies Can Be Beautiful

It may come as a surprise, but many flies are downright lovely. Metallic green bottle flies shimmer in sunlight, and the iridescent blue of some blowflies rivals the feathers of a bluebird. Dragonflies and dancers perform aerial displays. Long-legged flies glitter in greens and coppers, their wings patterned with delicate lace. And the tiny wings of hoverflies often bear bold patterns or subtle hues that reward close inspection.

Look at the intricate details on the wings of this Sinuous Bee Fly (Hemipenthes sinuosa).

With a magnifying glass—or a macro lens—you can discover a miniature world of jewel-like brilliance. Appreciating this beauty fosters a broader, more inclusive view of what a healthy and vibrant garden should look like.

The metallic green of this fly rivals the jeweled beauty of metallic green sweat bees.

Welcoming Flies Into Your Garden

To support fly diversity, avoid broad-spectrum pesticides and don’t hang fly paper or bug zappers. Leave some fallen fruit and decaying vegetation, and maintain a variety of native flowers. Providing a mix of bloom shapes and seasonal availability will attract different fly species throughout the year.

Flies may never win a popularity contest, but for the wildlife gardener, they’re a treasure. By welcoming them, you not only support pollination and pest control, but also enrich your garden’s biodiversity—and maybe even discover a little beauty where you least expected it.