This month we are talking about some insect pollinators other than bees, butterflies, and moths.
Did you know that flies are the second most important pollinators of crop species, second only to bees? The hover fly family, Syrphidae, is one of the most commonly observed fly flower pollinators. Syrphid flies visit flowers just as bees do, feed on pollen and nectar, and may resemble bees, although they do not bite or sting.
On the other hand, some plants have evolved to attract carrion flies. Their flowers tend to be pale or dark brown, with a putrid smell and little or no nectar. Flies are tricked into landing on the plants and leave taking pollen with them. Pawpaw trees and skunk cabbage have such flowers.
If you see an unfamiliar bee in your garden, it could possibly be a fly.