IamFof
Well-known member

This might sound a silly question, but what is the visual difference between the male and female flowers?
I was out, yesterday, and spotted this hoverfly(?) (ID if possible also, please) on an umbel of flowers on common ivy.
As Hedera helix is dioecious, and having what appears to be anthers, I am guessing that this is a male. I've checked all my books and searched on-line but I can't find any info on what the male and female flowers actually look like. All the images I can find just identify as "flowers".


TIA
Fof
I was out, yesterday, and spotted this hoverfly(?) (ID if possible also, please) on an umbel of flowers on common ivy.
As Hedera helix is dioecious, and having what appears to be anthers, I am guessing that this is a male. I've checked all my books and searched on-line but I can't find any info on what the male and female flowers actually look like. All the images I can find just identify as "flowers".


TIA
Fof