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Hover flies (family [[Syrphidae]]) of the genus '''''Microdon''''' are unusual among the [[Diptera]]. Like other members of the subfamily, they are [[myrmecophile]]s, meaning they inhabit the nests of ants. There are 249 species are known worldwide, with the greatest diversity being from the [[tropics]]; 30 species are known from North America, though it is expected that many of these species will be placed in other genera in time, as ''Microdon'' has been used as a catch all for various unrelated species
Hover flies (family [[Syrphidae]]) of the genus '''''Microdon''''' are unusual among the [[Diptera]]. Like other members of the subfamily, they are [[myrmecophile]]s, meaning they inhabit the nests of ants. There are 249 species are known worldwide, with the greatest diversity being from the [[tropics]]; 30 species are known from North America, though it is expected that many of these species will be placed in other genera in time, as ''Microdon'' has been used as a catch-all for various unrelated species not placed in other genera.<ref name="Cheng2008">{{cite journal | last = Cheng | first = Xin-Yue | coauthors = Thompson, F. Christian | year = 2008 | title = A generic conspectus of the Microdontinae (Diptera: Syrphidae) with the description of two new genera from Africa and China | journal = Zootaxa | volume = 1879 | pages = 21–48 | publisher = Magnolia Press | location = New Zealand | issn = 1175-5334 | url = http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2008/f/zt01879p048.pdf | format = PDF Adobe Acrobat | accessdate = 2009-09-11 }}</ref><ref name="Thompson">{{cite journal |author=Thompson, F.C |year=1981 |month= |title=Revisionary notes on Nearctic ''Microdon'' flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) |journal=Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington |volume=83 |issue= |pages=725–758 |publisher=Allen Press |location=Washington D.C. |issn= 0013-8797 }}</ref>
not placed in other genera.<ref name="Cheng2008">{{cite journal | last = Cheng | first = Xin-Yue | coauthors = Thompson, F. Christian | year = 2008 | title = A generic conspectus of the Microdontinae (Diptera: Syrphidae) with the description of two new genera from Africa and China | journal = Zootaxa | volume = 1879 | pages = 21–48 | publisher = Magnolia Press | location = New Zealand | issn = 1175-5334 | url = http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2008/f/zt01879p048.pdf | format = PDF Adobe Acrobat | accessdate = 2009-09-11 }}</ref><ref name="Thompson">{{cite journal |author=Thompson, F.C |year=1981 |month= |title=Revisionary notes on Nearctic ''Microdon'' flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) |journal=Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington |volume=83 |issue= |pages=725–758 |publisher=Allen Press |location=Washington D.C. |issn= 0013-8797 }}</ref>


==Appearance==
==Appearance==
''Microdon'' adults look more or less like typical flies. Like some other hover flies, they are generally robust and very hairy, often closely resembling bees. They are between 8 and 15&nbsp;mm long. The [[Antenna (biology)|antenna]]e are rather long, with the last (third) segment nearly as long as, or sometimes significantly longer than, the first segment; the antennae are nearly as long as the fly's face. These flies are clothed in black or pale (white or golden) hairs, and are themselves either black or metallic green or blue. The [[Scutellum (insect)|scutellum]] is with apical [[calcars]] and wing vein R4+5 with an appendix. They have simple legs and abdomen.<ref name="Cheng2008"/>
''Microdon'' adults look more or less like typical flies. Like some other hoverflies, they are generally robust and very hairy, often closely resembling bees. They are between 8 and 15&nbsp;mm long. The [[Antenna (biology)|antenna]]e are rather long, with the last (third) segment nearly as long as, or sometimes significantly longer than, the first segment; the antennae are nearly as long as the fly's face. These flies are covered in black or pale (white or golden) hairs, and are themselves either black or metallic green or blue. The [[Scutellum (insect)|scutellum]] is with apical [[calcars]] and wing vein R4+5 with an appendix. They have simple legs and abdomens.<ref name="Cheng2008"/>


The real oddity of the genus ''Microdon'' is in its larvae and pupae. These are dome-shaped and look like stout little slugs. Their appearance originally led scientists to describe them as [[mollusk]]s and [[scale insect]]s.<ref name="Duffield">{{cite journal |author=Duffield, R.M|year=1981 |month= |title=Biology of ''Microdon fuscipennis'' (Diptera: Syrphidae) with interpretation of reproductive strategies of ''Microdon'' species found north of Mexico. |journal=Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington |volume=83 |issue= |pages=716–724. |publisher=Allen Press |location=Washington D.C. |issn= 0013-8797 }}</ref> They are slow moving. Most have the [[spiracles]] on a peg-like protuberance extending from the end of the abdomen.
The real oddity of the genus ''Microdon'' is in its larvae and pupae. These are dome-shaped and look like stout little slugs. Their appearance originally led scientists to describe them as [[mollusk]]s and [[scale insect]]s.<ref name="Duffield">{{cite journal |author=Duffield, R.M|year=1981 |month= |title=Biology of ''Microdon fuscipennis'' (Diptera: Syrphidae) with interpretation of reproductive strategies of ''Microdon'' species found north of Mexico. |journal=Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington |volume=83 |issue= |pages=716–724. |publisher=Allen Press |location=Washington D.C. |issn= 0013-8797 }}</ref> They are slow-moving. Most have the [[spiracles]] on a peg-like protuberance extending from the end of their abdomens.


==Behaviour==
==Behaviour==
Adult ''Microdon'' flies do not behave like other syrphid flies: they do not hover around flowers but instead remain very near the ant colonies which serve as larval hosts.
Adult ''Microdon'' flies do not behave like other syrphid flies; they do not hover around flowers, but instead remain very near the ant colonies which serve as larval hosts.


Larvae may be found very deep in ant colonies. Some species actively feed on ant larvae in the colony,<ref name="Duffield"/> others are speculated to be scavengers. ''Microdon'' larvae are more or less restricted in their ant host species. Some ''Microdon'' have only ever been found in the colonies of a single ant species, while others are restricted to related ant species or genera. Because these flies have such cryptic life cycles, biological information on most species is limited.
Larvae may be found very deep in ant colonies. Some species actively feed on ant larvae in the colony,<ref name="Duffield"/> others are speculated to be scavengers. ''Microdon'' larvae are more or less restricted in their ant host species. Some ''Microdon'' species have only ever been found in the colonies of a single ant species, while others are restricted to related ant species or genera. Because these flies have such cryptic lifecycles, biological information on most species is limited.


==Species==
==Species==

Revision as of 04:01, 7 February 2013

Microdon
Microdon mutabilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Syrphidae
Subfamily:
Microdontinae
Genus:
Microdon

Meigen, 1803
Type species
Musca mutabilis
Synonyms

Hover flies (family Syrphidae) of the genus Microdon are unusual among the Diptera. Like other members of the subfamily, they are myrmecophiles, meaning they inhabit the nests of ants. There are 249 species are known worldwide, with the greatest diversity being from the tropics; 30 species are known from North America, though it is expected that many of these species will be placed in other genera in time, as Microdon has been used as a catch-all for various unrelated species not placed in other genera.[1][2]

Appearance

Microdon adults look more or less like typical flies. Like some other hoverflies, they are generally robust and very hairy, often closely resembling bees. They are between 8 and 15 mm long. The antennae are rather long, with the last (third) segment nearly as long as, or sometimes significantly longer than, the first segment; the antennae are nearly as long as the fly's face. These flies are covered in black or pale (white or golden) hairs, and are themselves either black or metallic green or blue. The scutellum is with apical calcars and wing vein R4+5 with an appendix. They have simple legs and abdomens.[1]

The real oddity of the genus Microdon is in its larvae and pupae. These are dome-shaped and look like stout little slugs. Their appearance originally led scientists to describe them as mollusks and scale insects.[3] They are slow-moving. Most have the spiracles on a peg-like protuberance extending from the end of their abdomens.

Behaviour

Adult Microdon flies do not behave like other syrphid flies; they do not hover around flowers, but instead remain very near the ant colonies which serve as larval hosts.

Larvae may be found very deep in ant colonies. Some species actively feed on ant larvae in the colony,[3] others are speculated to be scavengers. Microdon larvae are more or less restricted in their ant host species. Some Microdon species have only ever been found in the colonies of a single ant species, while others are restricted to related ant species or genera. Because these flies have such cryptic lifecycles, biological information on most species is limited.

Species

References

  1. ^ a b Cheng, Xin-Yue (2008). "A generic conspectus of the Microdontinae (Diptera: Syrphidae) with the description of two new genera from Africa and China" (PDF Adobe Acrobat). Zootaxa. 1879. New Zealand: Magnolia Press: 21–48. ISSN 1175-5334. Retrieved 2009-09-11. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c d Thompson, F.C (1981). "Revisionary notes on Nearctic Microdon flies (Diptera: Syrphidae)". Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 83. Washington D.C.: Allen Press: 725–758. ISSN 0013-8797. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  3. ^ a b c Duffield, R.M (1981). "Biology of Microdon fuscipennis (Diptera: Syrphidae) with interpretation of reproductive strategies of Microdon species found north of Mexico". Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 83. Washington D.C.: Allen Press: 716–724. ISSN 0013-8797. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  4. ^ a b c Stubbs, Alan E. and Falk, Steven J. (1983). British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide. British Entomological & Natural History Society. pp. 253, xvpp.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Sodhi, N.S. (1991). "Three new species of family Syrphidae (Diptera) from India". Acta zoologica cracoviensia. b. 34 (1): 315–322. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Barkalov, A.V. "Syrphidae collection of Siberian Zoological Museum". Novosibirsk, Russia: the Institute of Animal Systematics and Ecology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Archived from the original on October 20, 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  7. ^ Maruyama, Munetoshi (December 22, 2004). "Microdon katsurai, a New Species of Myrmecophilous Hoverfly (Diptera, Syrphidae) from Japan, Associated with Polyrhachis lamellidens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)" (PDF/Adobe Achrobat). Bulletin of the National Science Museum. A. 30 (4). Tokyo: National Science Museum, Tokyo: 173–179. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
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