




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
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.





Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
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!
Eastern Calligrapher can hover in place like a tiny helicopter that helps them precisely land on flowers to drink nectar.
Eastern Calligrapher has a striped pattern that helps them scare away predators by looking like a stinging bee or wasp.
Eastern Calligrapher larvae can gobble up garden pests like aphids that helps protect plants.
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.

Turdus migratorius
Birds often prey on adult Eastern Calligraphers for food.
Aphis gossypii
Larvae of the Eastern Calligrapher feast on these common garden pests.
Rudbeckia hirta
Adults help pollinate these flowers while collecting nectar and pollen.

Mantis religiosa
These ambush predators will catch and eat adult hoverflies.
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
No aliases listed yet.
Danger
1/5 · Very low
These flies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance.
9-18 mm
6-9 mm
30-60 days
Adults drink nectar and pollen, while their larvae are mighty hunters of tiny garden pests.
Urban areas
Foraging
6
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Virginia, US
You might spot White-Tailed Deer, Northern Cardinal, and Red Fox.
View guide →

Québec, CA
You might spot Common Eastern Bumble Bee and Asian Lady Beetle.
View guide →

Virginia, US
You might spot Huron Skipper, Japanese Beetle, and Peck's Skipper.
View guide →