Close-up of a fly on flower stamens

Close-up of a fly on flower stamens

No, that’s not a science fiction character, but a member of the order Diptera, commonly known as a fly. Flies are often overlooked as pollinators, yet they fertilize a variety of wild and cultivated plants, including the flowering cocoa tree. That means flies help keep the store stocked with chocolate. And any fly that works to maintain a steady supply of chocolate is just the bee’s knees in our book. What’s more, flies aid in decomposition of plant matter and control other pests. That’s quite a contribution for a species that’s mainly known as an annoyance.