Flies are replacing the use of cutter bees and honeybees in large walked in cages. Flies hatch and work at cooler temperatures than houseflies and bees.

They have been used successfully for broccoli, cauliflower, buckwheat and sunflowers.

Flies feed on plant nectar.

Flies are carefree-they work in small areas such (selfing cages) where bees tend to get depressed.

Flies have been used in green house for tomatoes to increase production for commercial vegetable crops.

If a bee leaves the tent/greenhouse, he'll come back with possible contamination, whereas a fly is gone for good.

Life span in ideal conditions is up to one month.

Relatively easy to adjust quantities in cages, and more are just a phone call away.

Flies pollinating carrots at USDA, Madison, WI

Pillow cages at USDA

Madison, WI

Photos courtesy of Alicia Stanley at Alf Christianson Seed Co., Mt. Vernon, WA., Todd Ehman,  Aventis Canada, Inc. and Rob Kane, USDA, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.