Chalcosyrphus chalybeus

Chalcosyrphus chalybeus
Chalcosyrphus chalybeus female
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Subfamily: Eristalinae
Tribe: Milesiini
Subtribe: Xylotina
Genus: Chalcosyrphus
Subgenus: Xylotomima
Species:
C. chalybeus
Binomial name
Chalcosyrphus chalybeus
(Wiedemann, 1830)
Synonyms
  • Xylota chalybea Wiedemann, 1830
  • Xylota purpurea Walker, 1849
  • Syrphus violascens Megerle, 1803

Chalcosyrphus (Xylotomima) chalybeus (Weidemann, 1830), the violet leafwalker, is a fairly common species of syrphid fly observed in the Northeastern United States. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen.