Syrphid eating eraser

This syrphid fly spent a good hour on this pencil eraser, so I thought I’d post just in case anyone knew what it was after.  These flies consume pollen and nectar, so not quite sure what was so darn interesting about the eraser.  Proboscis was being deployed, so it wasn’t simply enjoying a perch. Pencil was a Staedtler Rally #2HB, my favorite.

Syrphid fly eating the eraser on a Staedtler Rally #2 HB pencil.  Yes, I know syrphids forage on pollen and nectar, but this one kept coming back to the eraser over the period of an hour.  Interesting. To me, at least.  Need some kid to plant a couple hundred pencils in a field to do the experiment.  Is graphite attractive?  Something unique to Staedtler rubber (solvent? sulfur?).  Would love to know.

Anyone?

About Colin Purrington

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