Pollenivory
Guides
Coleomegilla
Coleomegilla is a genus of lady beetles in the family Coccinellidae native to the Americas. The genus contains at least five described species, with Coleomegilla maculata (the pink-spotted or twelve-spotted lady beetle) being the most studied and economically significant. Members of this genus are generalist predators used in biological control programs, with C. maculata being notable as the only North American lady beetle known to complete its life cycle on plant pollen alone. The genus is distinguished from other coccinellids by its elongated body form and distinctive pink or reddish coloration with black spotting.
Toxomerus
Calligrapher Flies
Toxomerus is a large genus of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) distributed across the Americas, with over 130 described Neotropical species and additional Nearctic endemics. Species are small (typically 6–9 mm), characterized by large eyes with posterior indentation and diagnostic abdominal patterns. Most larvae are predatory on soft-bodied insects, particularly aphids, though at least three species are known pollen-feeders. Adults are pollinivorous, feeding on nectar and pollen from diverse flowering plants. The genus includes notable ecological specialists such as Toxomerus basalis, a kleptoparasite of sundews (Drosera), and several species introduced to the Afrotropics.
hoverflyflower-flyaphid-predatorpollinatorbiological-controlHymenoptera-mimickleptoparasiteintroduced-speciesNeotropicalNearcticAfrotropical-introductionpolyvoltineSyrphiniSyrphinaeDipteraSyrphidaeToxomerus-marginatusToxomerus-disparToxomerus-pulchellusToxomerus-basalisToxomerus-floralisToxomerus-politusToxomerus-apegiensisDroserasundewpollenivorypredatory-larvaeurban-adapteragricultural-beneficialcryptic-larvaeeye-dimorphismterritorial-behaviorDNA-barcodingcitizen-sciencemuseum-collectionsrange-expansionconservation-concern