Microdon

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Subfamily: Microdontinae
Genus: Microdon

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Microdon: //ˈmaɪ.krə.dɒn//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Summary

Microdon is a genus of hover flies within the family Syrphidae known for its specialized life cycle closely associated with ants. Adults are bee-like in appearance, while larvae exhibit cryptic behaviors enabling them to thrive within ant colonies.

Physical Characteristics

Adults are medium-sized and resemble bees with distinctive long antennae. They range from 7 to 28 mm. Larvae are round, dome-like, and often exhibit a reticulate pattern, characterized by a single conspicuous tubercle formed by fused posterior spiracles. Puparia resemble larvae with two separated anterior horns.

Identification Tips

Identification to species can be challenging. Matching puparium with the adult and knowledge of the host species are helpful. It's also recommended to scan surrounding areas for potential host nests when observing adults.

Habitat

Larvae are found living within ant nests, while adults are typically found near ant colonies and do not visit flowers, instead hovering around ant mounds.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution, particularly diverse in the Neotropics, with ~30 species noted in North America.

Diet

Larvae primarily prey on ant larvae and may scavenge, with first instar larvae found probing host larvae for regurgitated food supplied by ant workers.

Life Cycle

Microdon larvae are cryptic, often mimicking ant cocoons, facilitating their acceptance by ant colonies. The newly hatched larvae move quickly into ant nests. Adult flies emerge from puparia early in the morning to avoid predation by ants.

Reproduction

Detailed reproductive behavior specific to Microdon is not well-documented due to their cryptic life cycles. They are typically associated with specific ant species for reproduction.

Predators

Adult Microdon flies are vulnerable to predation by ants, which attack and dismember them. They lack protective pseudopheromones unlike their larval stages.

Ecosystem Role

Microdon larvae play a role in the ant colonies, predating on ant larvae and influencing the dynamics within ant populations.

Collecting Methods

Searching for adults around ant nests
Rearing puparia

Preservation Methods

Preserving puparia and larvae in ethanol
Collecting adult flies for entomological study

Evolution

Microdon was previously misclassified as mollusks and later as scale insects during early descriptions.

Similar Taxa

Syrphidae
Apoidea (bees)

Misconceptions

Microdon larvae were initially described as mollusks and later scaled insects due to their appearance. There is also a misconception regarding their feeding behavior being scavengers rather than predators of ant larvae.