Here are four things I saw yesterday in Ōtautahi-Christchurch city, NZ.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mollivan_jon/55192564303/

#Ōtautahi #Christchurch #nz #photography

There's a new fly in town.

While out for a run yesterday, in Ōtautahi-Christchurch, NZ, I noticed this unusual orange-headed black fly. I uploaded my photos to #iNaturalist when I got home and learned that it's the Australian Soldier Fly, *Inopus rubriceps*. This looks to be the first record of it anywhere in the South Island south of Nelson.

The species is a minor pasture pest and is well-established in NZ's North Island, where it was first seen in 1944.

As the world warms, NZ continues to fill with Australian insects. They first establish in the North Island then spread southwards. The pattern is repeating over and over. In this case, the two Australian parasitoid wasps (Neurogalesus spp.) that feed on *Inopus rubriceps* have also already established in the North Island.

*Inopus rubriceps* is a distinctive fly, especially the female which has the orange head (the male is all black). Keep an eye out and you might find some more of them.

https://www.inaturalist.nz/observations/347771177

#Diptera #entomology #iNaturalistNZ #invasionBiology #insects #nz #Christchurch #fly

It's that time again in Ōtautahi-Christchurch, NZ, when the fruit on the te kouka cabbage trees are at peak ripeness. That brings in the kererū to parts of the city.

Here are some of my photos of kererū eating te kouka fruit in the city from this long weekend. It includes what I think is the first time I've seen a kererū on Rose Street (that's on one of my fortnightly survey routes, which I've run since 2008).

https://www.inaturalist.nz/observations/347375376

#kererū #Ōtautahi #Christchurch #nz #birds #iNaturalistNZ #frugivory #UrbanEcology #nature

Here's some temporary street art on exhibition on the streets of Ōtautahi-Christchurch, NZ, this weekend.

Artists unknown. AI-free.

😄

(My full-resolution photos are on Flickr, https://www.flickr.com/photos/mollivan_jon/55188437928/)

#StreetArt #Christchurch #NZ #Chalk #ChildrensArt

#Ōtautahi #Christchurch fans of snack bars!

The Crafty Weka is selling 1kg bags of seconds for $25 from their HQ on 1010A Ferry Road.

I got the email at noon, arrived at 1pm and got first pick. Should be plenty still.

Retoot for reach