Insect pollination. Macrophotograph of a hoverfly (family Syrphidae, lower centre) feeding on a magnolia flower (Magnolia sinensis). This fly carries

---

Insect pollination. Macrophotograph of a hoverfly (family Syrphidae, lower centre) feeding on a magnolia flower (Magnolia sinensis). This fly carries pollen between flowers, fertilising them as it feeds. The hoverfly is named for its ability to hover in the air by beating its wings. The magnolia plant is regarded as a \living fossil\" as it has survived largely unchanged since the Mesozoic geological era some 225 million years ago. Magnification unknown."

---

Size: 5100px × 3442px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, botany, flower, fly, flying, hover, insect, insecta, macrophotograph, magnolia, nature, petal, petals, plant, plants, pollen, pollinating, pollination, pollinator, reproduction, reproductive, sinenis, syrphidae, wildlife, zoology