Garden Friend!!!!! Mydas Flies belong to the family Mydidae and there are many species within. They are true flies with one set of wings. Underneath those wings, the abdomen has yellow rings that resemble the body of a wasp. This is just mimicry to help deter predators, including humans, from messing with them. But, they are absolutely harmless and do not have a stinger.

Why are mydas flies gardening friends? For starters, the adult flies primarily feed on nectar and pollen which suggests that they assist in pollination. According to the University of Florida's IFAS blog, mydas flies play an important role pollinating saw palmettos.

Additionally, the young larvae of mydas flies feed live in the soil prior to pupating into the adult form. These larvae feed on other insects in the soil such as grubs, and the larvae of other insects. Many of the larvae they feed on can cause damage to the roots of plants, including turf lawns. Introducing mydas flies into sod farms is a control measure to prevent damage by the subterranean pests.

Not only are these flies harmless to gardeners, but the larvae and adult forms benefit your garden's ecosystem in more than one way! Next time you see a mydas fly, make sure you leave it alone so it can continue to work for you.