Microdon craigheadii
Walton, 1912
Large Metallic Ant Fly
craigheadii is a of described by Walton in 1912. As a member of the Microdon, it belongs to a group known for their unusual : the are in nests, living within ant colonies rather than being free-living like most hover fly larvae. The species has been documented in North America, with records contributing to understanding of hover fly diversity and distribution patterns. It is one of approximately 6,200 described species of syrphid flies worldwide.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Microdon craigheadii: /ˌmaɪ.kroʊˈdɒn kraɪˈði.aɪ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
are distinguished from other by their , often metallic bodies and reduced . of Microdon craigheadii are described as blackish to or bright to dark greenish in coloration. The Microdon can be separated from other syrphid genera by the combination of: a broad approximately the width of the or wider; large ; short, stubby ; and the characteristic metallic coloration. Specific identification to M. craigheadii requires examination of morphological details and comparison with related species in the genus.
Distribution
North America. The has been documented in the United States, with specimen records contributing to regional assessments such as the Illinois Survey hover inventory.
Host Associations
- Ants - of are in nests, living within ant colonies. The specific ant species for M. craigheadii has not been documented.
Life Cycle
(). The includes , larval, pupal, and stages. develop as within nests, a characteristic trait of the . The specific developmental details and duration for M. craigheadii have not been documented.
Ecological Role
are , visiting flowers for nectar and pollen. The larval stage functions as an in nests; the ecological impact of this relationship on ant colonies has not been quantified for this .
Human Relevance
Contributes to documentation and . As with other , may provide services in natural and agricultural settings. The has been included in regional assessments, such as the Illinois hover fly study that identified species of potential conservation significance.
Similar Taxa
- Microdon aurulentusAnother North with similar metallic coloration and - larval biology. Distinguished by specific morphological characters requiring expert examination.
- Microdon mutabilisEuropean with similar ; geographic separation provides primary distinction.
- Other Microdon speciesThe contains multiple with overlapping color patterns of black, , or metallic greenish tones. Accurate identification requires detailed morphological analysis.
More Details
Taxonomic History
Described by Walton in 1912. The has been included in recent surveys, including the 2023 Illinois Survey hover inventory that digitized century-old specimens and combined them with citizen science data to assess range changes and status.
Data Sources
Specimen records from entomological collections and citizen science platforms (iNaturalist, GBIF) have been used to document distribution. As of available records, the has relatively few documented observations compared to more common species.