Lettuce-fields

Guides

• Toxomerus marginatus

  Margined Calligrapher, Margined Calligrapher Fly

  Toxomerus marginatus is a common North American hoverfly (Syrphidae) measuring 5–6 mm. Adults are frequent flower visitors, while larvae are predatory on thrips, aphids, and small caterpillars. The species has been documented as the most numerous syrphid controlling aphids in California Central Coast lettuce fields. It exhibits strong attraction to methyl salicylate, a floral compound and herbivore-induced plant volatile.

  hoverflySyrphidaebiological-controlaphid-predatorpollinatormethyl-salicylateagricultural-pest-managementNorth-Americalettuce-fieldscranberry-fields