Meromacrus acutus
This record describes Meromacrus acutus (species). Recorded family: Syrphidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Boldly marked Batesian mimic of wasps. Yellow markings are composed of dense yellow pile. Note black stripe on face and orange pile on dorsal side of metatarsus . Clearly a Batesian mimic of Hymenoptera, perhaps specifically a mimic of yellowjackets, such as Vespula squamosa or V. maculifrons :
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
se. US (VA-FL-TX) BugGuide records from as far north as NY, PA, IA.
Seasonal Activity
May-Sep in NC , Jun-Aug in OK , as early as January in Florida; as late as October in south
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Meromacrus acutus ( Fabricius 1805)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Meromacrus acutus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Meromacrus acutus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by v belov , KenW
Frequently Asked Questions About Meromacrus acutus
What is Meromacrus acutus?
Meromacrus acutus is a species in the family Syrphidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Meromacrus acutus?
13-19 mm
How do you identify Meromacrus acutus?
Boldly marked Batesian mimic of wasps. Yellow markings are composed of dense yellow pile. Note black stripe on face and orange pile on dorsal side of metatarsus .
Where is Meromacrus acutus found?
Range: se. US (VA-FL-TX) BugGuide records from as far north as NY, PA, IA.
When is Meromacrus acutus active?
Meromacrus acutus: seasonal activity - May-Sep in NC , Jun-Aug in OK , as early as January in Florida; as late as October in south.