Mating Hoverflies

Spring brings many things along with warmer temperatures. One of them is a resumption of normal insect activities, including mating. These two hoverflies appear to be Toxomerus geminatus. I was able to identify this insect thanks to a helpful key on BugGuide. Toxomerus is one of the genera in family Syrphidae, the flower flies or syrphid flies. Syrphid flies can often be found nectaring at flowers, and they are important pollinators. Toxomerus larvae have been recorded feeding on corn pollen.