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Black-legged Gossamer

Megasyrphus laxus

The Black-legged Gossamer is a friendly little fly that loves to buzz around flowers. It has shiny black legs and a soft body, making it look quite special in gardens and parks.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Black-legged Gossamer is a medium-sized fly, often mimicking bees or wasps with its striking black and yellow-banded body. It has distinctive black legs and large, prominent eyes, making it appear sleek and agile. Unlike bees, it has short, stubby antennae.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilySyrphidaeGenusMegasyrphus
Black-legged Gossamer
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Black-legged Gossamer

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Even though they look like stinging insects, Black-legged Gossamers are completely harmless to humans.

Their larvae are like tiny bug vacuums, devouring hundreds of garden pests called aphids!

They can fly backwards! Most insects can't do this trick, showing off their amazing agility.

Unlike many flies, their flight is almost silent, allowing them to sneak up on flowers unnoticed.

Special abilities

Ability

Master Mimic

Black-legged Gossamer has bright yellow and black stripes that help them look like stinging bees or wasps, scaring away predators.

Ability

Acrobatic Hoverer

Black-legged Gossamer can hover perfectly still in mid-air, then dart off quickly, helping them find food and escape danger.

Ability

Aphid Assassin (Larva)

Black-legged Gossamer larvae can hunt and eat many tiny aphids, which helps plants stay healthy and pest-free.

Ability

Flower Friend

Black-legged Gossamer adults visit many flowers, helping to spread pollen from bloom to bloom for new seeds.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
15-25 mm
Size
8-12 mm
Lifespan
14-30 days
Flight Speed
8 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers, while their hungry larvae feast on garden aphids.

Age differences: Larvae are predatory insectivores, but adults switch to a herbivorous diet of nectar and pollen.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • pollen
  • aphids
  • honeydew

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Cotton Aphid

Aphis gossypii

Larvae consume these pests on cotton and other plants, aiding pest control.

pollinates

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Adults transfer pollen between these vibrant yellow flowers as they feed.

eaten by

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

This bird often catches flying insects like the Black-legged Gossamer in mid-air.

parasitizes

Parasitic Wasp

Diplazon laetatorius

Its larvae develop inside the gossamer larvae or pupae, eventually killing them.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These flies are safe and won't hurt you, so you can watch them closely!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Black-legged Gossamer's wingspan?

15-25 mm

How big is Black-legged Gossamer?

8-12 mm

How long does Black-legged Gossamer live?

14-30 days

How fast can Black-legged Gossamer fly?

8 km/h

What does Black-legged Gossamer eat?

Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers, while their hungry larvae feast on garden aphids.

Where is Black-legged Gossamer usually found?

Urban areas

How does Black-legged Gossamer hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Black-legged Gossamer have?

6

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