Microdontinae
Guides
Laetodon
Laetodon is a genus of hoverflies in the family Syrphidae, subfamily Microdontinae, established by Reemer in 2013. The genus belongs to the tribe Microdontini, a group of hoverflies whose larvae develop within ant nests. Laetodon represents one of several genera within this specialized myrmecophilous lineage.
Laetodon laetus
Small Metallic Ant Fly
Laetodon laetus is a small hoverfly (family Syrphidae) in the subfamily Microdontinae, commonly known as the Small Metallic Ant Fly. Members of Microdontinae are myrmecophilous, meaning they have ecological associations with ants. The species exhibits metallic coloration and has been documented in limited observations, with 41 records on iNaturalist suggesting it is infrequently encountered or underreported.
Microdon
Ant Flies
Microdon is a genus of hover flies (Syrphidae) in the subfamily Microdontinae, containing approximately 249 species worldwide with greatest diversity in the tropics. The genus is notable for its myrmecophilous lifestyle: adults remain near ant colonies rather than visiting flowers, and larvae develop inside ant nests. Adults are morphologically atypical for hover flies—sedentary, robust, very hairy, and often bee-like in appearance. Larvae are dome-shaped, slug-like, and slow-moving, with spiracles on a peg-like posterior protuberance. The genus has historically served as a catch-all for unrelated species, and ongoing taxonomic revision is expected to reassign many species to other genera.
Microdon fulgens
Rainbow Ant Fly
Microdon fulgens is a species of syrphid fly (Syrphidae) in the subfamily Microdontinae. Members of the genus Microdon are commonly known as ant flies due to their unusual life history: larvae develop as inquilines within ant colonies. The specific epithet "fulgens" (Latin for shining or gleaming) likely refers to the adult's appearance. As with other Microdon species, adults are pollinators, while larvae have a highly specialized ecological relationship with ants.
Microdon globosus
Globular Ant Fly
Microdon globosus is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae, commonly known as the Globular Ant Fly. Like other members of the genus Microdon, it belongs to a distinctive group of hover flies whose larvae develop within ant colonies. The species was first described by Fabricius in 1805 and has been documented in museum collections and citizen science observations, though detailed natural history information remains limited.
Microdon pallipennis
Microdon pallipennis is a species of hover fly (family Syrphidae) described by Curran in 1925. It belongs to the subfamily Microdontinae, a group whose larvae are known to develop within ant colonies. The species was included in a 2023 Illinois Natural History Survey study that digitized and identified historic hover fly specimens, contributing to updated species range data for the region.
Microdon ruficrus
spiny-shield ant fly
An uncommon syrphid fly of the eastern United States and adjacent Canada. Adults are metallic greenish or bluish black with distinctive cupreous thoracic stripes and a spiny scutellum. Larvae develop within nests of the ant Lasius americanus. The species is one of approximately 6,200 described syrphid flies worldwide.
Microdon tristis
Long-horned Ant Fly
Microdon tristis is a syrphid fly in the subfamily Microdontinae, commonly known as the Long-horned Ant Fly. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in wing venation and facial structure. Adults are characterized by distinctive bronze-black coloration with greenish and purplish metallic reflections, and are associated with ant colonies as larvae.
Mixogaster
Mixogaster is a genus of hoverflies in the subfamily Microdontinae, native to the Americas. The genus comprises approximately 19-21 species and is distinguished by specific wing venation characters and reduced metasternal structures. Adults are myrmecophilous wasp mimics with constricted abdomens. Larvae develop as scavengers inside ant nests.
Mixogaster breviventris
Slender Ant Fly
Mixogaster breviventris is a species of syrphid fly (family Syrphidae) in the subfamily Microdontinae. The species was described by Kahl in 1897. It is known by the common name Slender Ant Fly. As a member of the Microdontinae, it belongs to a group of hoverflies whose larvae are associated with ant colonies.
Mixogaster fattigi
Fattig's Ant Fly
Mixogaster fattigi is a species of ant-mimicking hoverfly (family Syrphidae, subfamily Microdontinae) described in 2019. The genus Mixogaster belongs to the tribe Microdontini, a group whose larvae are known to develop within ant colonies as inquilines or predators of ant brood. The specific epithet honors entomologist Delbert La Rue Fattig. The species is part of a lineage exhibiting remarkable morphological convergence with ants, representing an evolutionary strategy to avoid predation while foraging or accessing ant-associated resources.
Rhopalosyrphus guentherii
Hairy-bellied Squeezetail
Rhopalosyrphus guentherii is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) in the subfamily Microdontinae, known by the common name Hairy-bellied Squeezetail. It is one of approximately 11 described species in the genus Rhopalosyrphus, a group characterized by unusual larval biology associated with ant colonies. The species was described by Lynch Arribálzaga in 1891 from South American material. As a microdontine syrphid, it likely exhibits the myrmecophilous lifestyle typical of its subfamily, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented.
Rhopalosyrphus ramulorum
Bare-bellied Squeezetail
Rhopalosyrphus ramulorum is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae, described by Weems and Deyrup in 2003. It belongs to the subfamily Microdontinae, a group known for their unusual larval biology involving association with ant colonies. The species is known by the common name Bare-bellied Squeezetail. Information about this species remains limited, with only five documented observations on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.