Violet leafwalker

Description

Violet leafwalker is a large, wasp mimicking hoverfly. It is found in North America east of the Great Plains. It is said to be common but there are relatively few reported observations. This may be due to the appearance and behavior, both of which mimic blue mud wasps.

Adults are ½″ to ⅝″ in length.

The head is black with some white hairs. The face is concave. The female has white markings on the face. On the male the large compound eyes meet at the top of the head but before the three simple eyes (ocelli). The antennae are short and black. The third segment is wider and is longer than the remaining segments combined.

The upper side of the thorax is iridescent bluish-black and shiny. It may appear black, blue, or purple, depending on the angle of the light. It is covered with short black hairs and has some longer white hairs in the shoulder (humeral) area. The sides of the thorax are black. On the underside, the plate covering the last segment (metasternum), the segment bearing the hind legs, is covered with hairs.

The abdomen is metallic bluish-black to black and is covered with short black hairs.

The legs are completely black and are covered with short, bristly, black hairs. The third segment (femur) on the hind leg is large and flattened. The fourth segment (tibia) of the hind leg is slightly curved.

The wings are brownish-black and iridescent. In some light, they appear mostly blue with purple at the tip and along the inside margin.

Size

Total length: ½″ to ⅝″

Similar Species

Habitat

Damp forests and swamps

Ecology

Season

Late May to early August

Behavior

It flicks its wings when at rest, mimicking the behavior of a wasp.

Life Cycle

Larva Food/Hosts

Rotting dead wood

Adult Food

Flower nectar