Spurious-vein-absence
Guides
Microdontinae
Ant Flies and Allies
A subfamily of hoverflies (Syrphidae) comprising approximately 400 species, distinguished by their obligate myrmecophilous lifestyle. Larvae develop within ant nests as predators or scavengers of ant brood, exhibiting reduced body segmentation compared to other syrphid larvae. Adults of many species remain near host ant colonies rather than visiting flowers; some species lack functional mouthparts entirely. Several genera lack the spurious vein characteristic of other Syrphidae.