Hi guys,
I am proud to see flowers on three of my 5 different pawpaw trees.
It would be nice if I could get one fruit to make it. Keeping a close watch on them.
photos attached. Have to get out some old hamburger and soft bristle paint brush!!!
Lou

Neato. Thanks for the pix.

It seems so strange to me that this flower requires the carrion fly. Is that the only insect that will do? Is there any other fruit that requires the carrion fly?

Barry (BLB) says that it makes sense because a lot of animals die off in early spring, also, a lot of animals defrost then. OK.

But still you gotta admit, it's pretty weird, so if anybody know anything additional, please help me understand.

You said it.  Forget about insects and get the paint brush out.  Last year I got at least 25 fruits from my 3rd year old tree by using the brush for pollination.

There are a number of pollinators for the paw paw. I've never had a problem with mine in the past. I usually have good tracts of plants to attract the beneficial insects and a lot of other stuff also shows up. I think it's the great variety of beetles that's been responsible for pollinating the ones I've had as there's not been a lot of carrion flies around -- at least not that I've noticed -- and I do look. I photograph insects a lot. There are a few other types of flies that also do the job and perhaps the poultry droppings etc. do attract a number of these, but I just haven't seen a lot of flies on my paw paws compared to the number of beetles.
I have heard that the brush is an easy and very effective method. I just never needed to use it.
I did not, however, get 25 fruits from any of my 3 year old trees so perhaps next time I should give it a shot.
Nice pic.s.

I think I got the carrion fly gig. See picture.