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Eastern Calligrapher

Toxomerus geminatus

The Eastern Calligrapher is a small, colorful fly that loves to zoom around flowers. They are great at helping plants by spreading pollen while they sip nectar.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Eastern Calligrapher has a black and bright yellow striped abdomen, often with distinctive broken or curved markings resembling calligraphy. Its body is somewhat flattened and lacks the narrow 'waist' of a wasp, which helps differentiate it from stinging insects.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilySyrphidaeGenusToxomerus
Eastern Calligrapher
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Eastern Calligrapher

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adults are vegetarians, sipping nectar and pollen from many different flowers.

Despite looking like a bee, Eastern Calligraphers cannot sting or bite you!

Their super-fast wing beats create a buzzing sound, even when they hover still!

They have huge compound eyes that let them see almost all around their heads!

Special abilities

Ability

Mid-Air Suspension

Eastern Calligrapher can hover in place like a tiny helicopter that helps them precisely land on flowers to drink nectar.

Ability

Harmless Impersonator

Eastern Calligrapher has a striped pattern that helps them scare away predators by looking like a stinging bee or wasp.

Ability

Pest Patrol Power

Eastern Calligrapher larvae can gobble up garden pests like aphids that helps protect plants.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
9-18 mm
Size
6-9 mm
Lifespan
30-60 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults drink nectar and pollen, while their larvae are mighty hunters of tiny garden pests.

Age differences: Yes, adults feed on nectar and pollen, but their larvae are carnivores, eating aphids and other soft-bodied insects.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • pollen
  • aphids
  • scale insects
  • small caterpillars

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

Birds often prey on adult Eastern Calligraphers for food.

eats

Cotton Aphid

Aphis gossypii

Larvae of the Eastern Calligrapher feast on these common garden pests.

pollinates

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Adults help pollinate these flowers while collecting nectar and pollen.

eaten by

European Mantis

Mantis religiosa

These ambush predators will catch and eat adult hoverflies.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These flies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eastern Calligrapher's wingspan?

9-18 mm

How big is Eastern Calligrapher?

6-9 mm

How long does Eastern Calligrapher live?

30-60 days

What does Eastern Calligrapher eat?

Adults drink nectar and pollen, while their larvae are mighty hunters of tiny garden pests.

Where is Eastern Calligrapher usually found?

Urban areas

How does Eastern Calligrapher hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Eastern Calligrapher have?

6

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