Flatbush Gardener 🌈3d ago

I discovered this spectacular thing in my garden on Tuesday. I didn't post it until now because I wanted to upload a high-quality photo that did it justice.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/284584753

#iNaturalist #MasterNaturalist #Insects #Bugs #Diptera #Syrphidae #HabitatGardening #Brooklyn #NYC

Carolinian Elegant (Meromacrus acutus)

Carolinian Elegant from Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY, USA on May 27, 2025 at 11:57 AM by Chris Kreussling (Flatbush Gardener). Carolinian Elegant (Meromacrus acutus) along my driveway, May 2025

iNaturalist
Show threadColin Purrington
@xris Skevington et al.'s Field Guide to the Flower Flies of Northeastern North America says this about the genus: "Larvae are filter feeders in rot holes in trees and, as with many rot hole species, are indicators of rich habitats." #meromacrus #syrphidae
May 31 at 10:24amWeb
Show threadFlatbush Gardener 🌈3d ago

@colinpurrington
I don't *think* I have any rot holes in the three trees on my property (though the cherry is a possibility). NYC iNat obs only start in 2023; likely gone unobserved until then.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=674&preferred_place_id=1&taxon_id=361289

Aside from being a new species record for my garden, my observation stands out:
* Earliest. No other May obs. FOY 2025.
* All other obs in green spaces: cemeteries, parks, natural areas.

#iNaturalist #MasterNaturalist #Insects #Bugs #Diptera #Flies #Syrphidae #Brooklyn #NYC

Observations

Elegant Flies from New York City, US, NY

iNaturalist
Show threadColin Purrington3d ago
@xris The guide also says that Meromacrus acutus "has been recorded from wet forest edges, meadows, and prairies." You close to any of that action?
Show threadFlatbush Gardener 🌈3d ago

@colinpurrington
Ha, no.

The sightings in Prospect Park, though, are a little over a mile from me. Those in Green-Wood Cemetery at least twice that distance. Both have "wet edges" and meadows.

The sunny parts of my garden are "meadow-like". There's plenty of floral resources. I don't know what their larva eat. Sounds like they need the muck. I don't have that.