Microdon analis

Microdon analis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Genus: Microdon
Species: M. analis
Binomial name
Microdon analis
(Macquart, 1842)
Synonyms
  • Aphritis analis Macquart, 1842
  • Microdon eggeri Mik, 1897

Microdon analis, is a species of hoverfly. It is found in the Palearctic. The distinctive almost slug-like larvae live in ants nests. The larvae are hemispherical in shape and heavily armoured. They are believed to prey on the eggs and larvae of a number of different ant species, notably Lasius niger and the Formica rufa group. These ants are usually found on heathland.[1] However Schmid (2004) claims that Microdon analis and M. major which are cryptic species have been confused under the name analis . M.major is apparently associated with ants of the genus Formica, the other species , M.analis, with Lasius species.[2]


Description

External images For terms see Morphology of Diptera
Wing length 6·75-8·25 mm. 3rd antennomere about twice as long as 2nd.Tergite 3 without dusting. Tarsae 1 tarsomere 2 shorter than wide.Tibiae 2 with a narrow black ring.Ocellar triangle shiny. The male genitalia are figured by Doczkal & Schmid (1999) .[3] See references for determination [4] [5] [6] [7]


Distribution

Palearctic Scandinavia South to the Mediterranean basin.Ireland East through Europe into Russia , the Russian Far East and Siberia and on to the Pacific coast. Mongolia. [8] [9]

Biology

Habitat: Quercus, Pinus, Fagus, Picea, Betula forest with fallen trees. Adults are not known to visit flowers to feed but settle on foliage.The flight period is May to July.

References

  1. ↑ Stubbs, Alan E. & Falk, Steven J. (1983). British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide. British Entomological & Natural History Society. pp. 253, xvpp.
  2. ↑ Schmid, U. (2004a) Microdon rhenanus and Microdon eggeri var. major (Diptera, Syrphidae) revisited. Volucella, 7: 111-124.
  3. ↑ Doczkal, D. & Schmid, U. (1999) Revision der mitteleuropäischen Arten der Gattung Microdon Meigen (Diptera, Syrphidae). Volucella, 4: 45-68.
  4. ↑ Van Veen, M. (2004) Hoverflies of Northwest Europe: identification keys to the Syrphidae. 256pp. KNNV Publishing, Utrecht.addendum
  5. ↑ Van der Goot,V.S. (1981) De zweefvliegen van Noordwest - Europa en Europees Rusland, in het bijzonder van de Benelux. KNNV, Uitgave no.32: 275pp. Amsterdam.
  6. ↑ Bei-Bienko, G.Y. & Steyskal, G.C. (1988) Keys to the Insects of the European Part of the USSR, Volume V: Diptera and Siphonaptera, Part I. Amerind Publishing Co., New Delhi. ISBN 81-205-0080-6.
  7. ↑ Coe, R.L. (1953) Diptera: Syrphidae. Handbks.ident.Br.insects, 10(1): 1-98. R.ent.Soc.London. pdf
  8. ↑ Fauna Europaea
  9. ↑ Peck, L.V. (1988) Syrphidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (eds.) Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera, 8: 11-230. Akad.Kiado, Budapest.


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