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Mystery black insects on white garden walls

ShennyShenny Posts: 127
in Problem solving
Hi
just as the title says we have loads of solid black tiny insects all over our white painted walls. They dont seem to be on the plants. They can fly but don’t seem to move away when you go near them. I’ve attached photos if anyone can identify them that would be brilliant. 
Thanks 

Posts

  • minadineEX5aBZAsminadineEX5aBZAs Posts: 6
    It looks a bit like a type of St Marks fly (Bibio), there are many different species. They are harmless, the adults are good pollinators , the larvae often live in compost heaps.
  • ShennyShenny Posts: 127
    On closer inspection the insects are in the soil and in the lawn. There seems to be an infestation of them. They are landing on my washing hanging outside too! Should I be worried??
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2022
    I wouldn’t worry at all. It would seem that weather conditions may have triggered the hatching of some perfectly normal harmless insects that very few of us ever notice all at the same time.

     I suspect that the swifts and swallows will be very glad of them before they start their long journey south very soon. 

    Maybe @wild edges can ID them if he’s about …, or @Alan Clark2 in Liverpool or someone?

    But in any case I’m sure you’ve no need to worry or to take any remedial action. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    they'll be gone soon, insects don't last long. They're part of our ever-diminishing wildlife. Food for birds, bats and larger insects. All part of nature and the food-chain


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    minadineEX5aBZAs said:
    It looks a bit like a type of St Marks fly (Bibio), there are many different species. They are harmless, the adults are good pollinators , the larvae often live in compost heaps.
    I'd go with this but I think the only species that's actively flying after spring is the Fever Fly so that would be my bet https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/fever-fly

    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • ShennyShenny Posts: 127
    Thank you everyone for your very knowledgeable feedback. I will not worry. Much appreciated. 
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