Appearances are sometimes deceiving! Known to imitate the Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, bumblebees, hornets...), syrphes are insects Diptera, an order that includes flies, taons, mosquitoes... and whose characteristic feature is to have only one pair of wings in the adult state.
The objective is to lure possible predators who, at the sight of the patterns and colors, would pass their way thinking to see an animal that has abilities to defend itself. This phenomenon is called Batesian mimicry (pretending to be something dangerous or toxic).
Now, the syrphes are totally harmless... for us humans anyway: the larvae of many species of syrphes feed on aphids. As adults, they feed on the nectar of flowering plants.
But how to distinguish a syrph from a hymenoptera? To find out, attend the conference given by the association Lestrem Nature, and familiarize yourself with these very common auxiliaries of our gardens.
A taste of the Pollination Operation on Sunday, July 6!
Practical information:
Appointment: 17 h
Duration : 2 h
Good to know : limited number of places, only by registration. Ticketing on enm.lillemetropole.fr or at the reception
Public : from 7 years
Site hours : Laundry from 10 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 6:30 pm
Exhibition “Nature retrouvée” from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Welcome for the conference from 4:30 pm
The site is accessible to people with disabilities. Please contact the team for more details about the accessibility of the shows/ animations.