Fly

Although flies lack the hair structures that bees have, they are also capable pollinators.

Flowers that attract flies often have a carrion odor and are maroon, purple, brown or red. Both odor and color mimic dead meat which is very attractive to flies. The African starfish flower (pictured) is a good example.

Sometimes flies are lured into a stinky flower as a trick. Instead of a nice place to lay its eggs, the flower becomes a trap. As the fly struggles to get out, it becomes dusted with pollen. Sometimes the fly escapes and sometimes it doesn’t.