After intensive field work in Upper Hessia (W. Germany) the authors have come to the conclusion that although Plantago media L. is most probably visited much more frequently and by a wider range of insects than P. lanceolata L.. syrphid flies of the Melanostoma-Platycheirus group play a negligible role in the pollen transfer of P. media. The possible reason for this unexpected result is anything but clear and only a tentative possibility is suggested.