Identification
scutellum blackish with well-defined yellow margin; abdomen yellow with black bands that reach the margin (i.e. margin of abdomen is alternately black and yellow); tip of abdomen pointed in female, rounded in male; top of thorax dark bronzy-brown to blackish with yellow margin; wings clear; eyes large, reddish-brown; face white with thin strip projecting upward between eyes; forehead dark; antennae yellow; back of head white
Range
eastern North America: Quebec to Florida, west to Texas, north to Minnesota
Habitat
often found visiting flowers of herbaceous plants, or sometimes resting on nearby leaves
Season
adults from April to October or November
See Also
Toxomerus marginatus is similar, but scutellum brownish, yellowish, or diffuse mix of both; abdomen with thin but continuous yellow margin
T. politus is uncommon to rare, and has distinctly different pattern of bands on abdomen
(
compare images of all three species)
Toxomerus occidentalis is almost identical but occurs in the west, beyond the range of
T. geminatus Internet References
live and pinned adult images plus related species, with arrows pointing to diagnostic field marks (Jeff Skevington
et al, Field Guide to Flower Flies of Ontario)
pinned adult images (Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota)
distribution (The Diptera Site, USDA)
Contributed by
Richard Leung on 25 October, 2004 - 9:29pm
Additional contributions by
Robin McLeodLast updated 3 July, 2006 - 1:36pm
