Hoverfly magnet – Backyard Heroes

Discover the hoverfly (family Syrphidae), the striped superhero of the European garden. With its wasp mimicry — yellow-and-black striped but completely harmless — the hoverfly is a master of deception and simultaneously one of Europe's hardest-working garden dwellers. Its larvae devour aphids by the hundreds, while the adult hoverfly flits from flower to flower, pollinating — a unique combination of pest control and pollination that makes the hoverfly one of the garden's most valuable insects.

This premium magnet features stunning wildlife photography that captures the characteristic yellow-and-black stripes and hovering flight of this fascinating insect.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

• Population: More than 6,000 species worldwide — widespread but locally declining due to pesticide use
• Habitat: Gardens, parks, flower-rich grasslands, and woodland edges throughout Europe
• Major Threats: Pesticide use, loss of nectar-rich flowers, intensive agriculture
• Ecological Role: Second most important pollinator after bees; larvae are effective aphid predators
• Special Feature: Can hover almost motionless in the air — a flight art that even helicopters cannot match

Fascinating Facts:

• Hoverflies are Europe's second most important pollinators — right after bees
• Their larvae can devour hundreds of aphids per week — an indispensable ally for the organic gardener
• They can hover almost motionless in the air — an aerodynamic feat that even modern technology cannot match
• Hoverflies are completely harmless — they cannot sting, despite their wasp mimicry
• Some species migrate over long distances — millions of hoverflies migrate across the Alps each year
• They are active from early spring to late autumn — one of Europe's longest active pollinators

How to attract hoverflies to your garden?

• Plant flat, open flowers such as fennel, dill, yarrow, alyssum, and marigolds
• Build an insect hotel with hollow stems for larval development
• Ensure continuous bloom from spring to autumn
• Leave some aphids — they are food for hoverfly larvae
• Avoid pesticides — hoverflies are sensitive to chemicals

Read our complete rewilding guide for your garden → and discover how to build an insect hotel.

We partner with organisations that make a real, measurable contribution to wildlife protection. Together, we are building a community of wildlife ambassadors — one magnet at a time.

With the purchase of this magnet, we donate €2.00 to wildlife protection – allowing you to directly contribute to the conservation of the hoverfly and its habitat.

Part of our Backyard Heroes collection — transform your fridge into a tribute to the striped superhero of the European garden.