Eastern Calligrapher vs Old World Screwworm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Eastern Calligrapher Old World Screwworm
Scientific Name Toxomerus geminatus Chrysomya bezziana
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Syrphidae Calliphoridae
Size 5-7 mm 8-11 mm
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Parasites
Regions North America Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Eastern Calligrapher

A tiny hoverfly with intricate black calligraphic markings on a yellow abdomen. It is one of the most abundant flower flies in eastern North America.

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Did You Know?

Despite its small size, it is one of the most effective aphid predators in North American gardens.

Old World Screwworm

An obligate wound parasite of mammals found across Africa and Asia. Larvae invade wounds and feed on living tissue causing severe myiasis.

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Did You Know?

Unlike the New World screwworm, no sterile insect program has yet successfully eradicated this species.