Oil rig study reveals vital role of tiny hoverflies

A study of migratory hoverflies on a North Sea oil rig has revealed their vital role as long-distance pollen transporters.

Researchers studied 121 marmalade hoverflies that landed on an oil rig in the Britannia oil field, 200km off the coast of Scotland.

Pollen was found on 92% of the hoverflies and – with no vegetation on the rig, and no land nearby – this shows they can transport pollen over great distances, potentially linking plant populations that are hundreds of kilometres apart.