Hover Fly (Toxomerus marginatus)

The Hover Fly is the major pollinator of this Common mullein flower. It also serves to destroy the aphids that infect the plant, so it serves in a dual capacity as a beneficial. This particular plant is biennial. It grows the first year as a swirl of large hairy leaves (each around 18 inches long. The second year a large hairy stalk grows and from it many flowers. This plant was 7 feet tall, with the flowers at the top.
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