Meromacrus acutus
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
Meromacrus acutus, the Carolinian elegant, is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae. This uncommon species is distributed in the Eastern United States and South America (see map). Notable for the black and yellow pattern mimicking wasps.
Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are aquatic filter-feeders of the rat-tailed type. They are found in rot holes of trees.
For terminology see Speight key to genera and glossary external images Size Length 13–18 mm (0.5–0.7 in) Head The front (frons) has a broad black stripe and has yellow pile on the sides below the ocelli. The face is yellowish red, thickly clothed on the sides with whitish pollen and bright yellow pile. A broad median stripe and shining black cheeks mark the face. Sometimes there is a reddish broad black facial stripe. The antennae are reddish brown on raised antennifer with orange arista: The posterior orbits have abundant short yellow pile with a gap of black at the... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Washington | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Austin | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Dallas | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Orlando | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 6 | Philadelphia | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 7 | Houston | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 8 | San Antonio | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 9 | New York City | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 10 | Miami | 🇺🇸 United States |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Carolinian Elegant sighting in Houston on a given day, based on 28 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 376th most-seen of the 1057 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
Any time of year
In every month with enough records, under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Carolinian Elegant in Houston on a given day, so our monthly data shows no clear season.
7th of 10
Of the 10 cities where we can rate Carolinian Elegant sightings, Houston ranks 7th at under 5%. The best odds are in Baltimore (United States, about 10%), Washington (United States, under 5%) and Austin (United States, under 5%).
Same family: Syrphidae
The closest relatives of the Carolinian Elegant that you can see in Houston (family Syrphidae, Hover Flies) are Margined Calligrapher (about 10%), Northern Plushback (about 10%) and Oblique Streaktail (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Carolinian Elegant is recorded against all the insects logged in Houston (28 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
