Species Toxomerus geminatus - Eastern Calligrapher

Eastern Calligrapher(1)

Toxomerus geminatus (Say 1823)

6-7.5 mm

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

Facial differences between male and female:

(male is on top)

e. NA (QC-FL to MN-TX)(2)

often found visiting flowers of herbaceous plants, or sometimes resting on nearby leaves

Adults found in forests, meadows, fields, savannas, marshes, bogs, and fens(1)

Apr-Nov

Larvae feed on a variety of aphids and mites(1)

1. Larva 2. Puparium 3. Adult female. 4. Adult male

common to abundant