Bugland: Lovely Garden Helper

Some people have a favorite bug in the garden, and the Margined Calligrapher Fly (Toxomerus marginatus) often gets all the raves. First, this gold and black hoverfly is just lovely. Named for the fine black etchings on their abdomens, their wings are almost incandescent in the sunlight. They are also excellent garden helpers. They pollinate, don’t sting or eat the plants, and they eat problem insects like aphids. This Margined Calligrapher Fly was photographed in Park Hill by Mark Silverstein.