Bug FAQMaize Calligrapher
Toxomerus politus · Order: Diptera · Family: Syrphidae
Also called: Corn Fly, Corn Tassel Fly, Maize Calligrapher Fly
Source: Wikipedia
The maize calligrapher is a small fly about 8 to 9 mm long with a black thorax marked in yellow and distinctive facial triangles. It lives throughout North, Central and South America and is often found where corn is grown, where adults (and probably larvae) eat corn pollen.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It is found across North, Central and South America, especially in areas where corn grows.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Adults, and likely the larvae, feed on corn pollen.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Little is known about its early stages, but it is associated with corn throughout its life.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range includes North, Central and South America.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 41 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Virginia, Indiana, New York, Maryland.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
Does the maize calligrapher damage corn crops?
Yes, it feeds on corn pollen and can affect corn production.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Syrphidae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxomerus_politus
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.