Microdon myrmicae
Microdon myrmicae | |
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Microdon myrmicae Trawscoed, Wales | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Diptera |
Family: | Syrphidae |
Genus: | Microdon |
Species: | M. myrmicae
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Binomial name | |
Microdon myrmicae Schonrogge, Barr, Wardlaw, Napper, Gardner, Breen, Elmes & Thoma 2002
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Microdon myrmicae is a species of hoverfly belonging to the family Syrphidae.[1]
It is a Palearctic species with a limited distribution in Europe (Ireland, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Norway, Poland and European Russia (Karelia).[2]
M. myrmicae is a parasite on Myrmica scabrinodis, and (Formicidae).
Microdon myrmicae lives sympatrically with other myrmecophiles including Phengaris alcon, P. nausithous and P. teleius (in one location all four species cooccur).[3]
Description[]
External images
For terms see Morphology of Diptera
Wing length 6·75-8·25 mm. See references for determination [4] At present M.mutabilis is only reliably distinguished from M.myrmicae by features of the puparium.
Two color morphs of the species are known: individuals of either sex can be predominately gold-haired or silver-haired. However, more males appear to be silver than gold, and the reverse is true for females, suggesting a complex genetic mechanism.[5]
References[]
- ^ Speight, M.C.D. (2011). "Species accounts of European Syrphidae (Diptera)" (PDF). Syrph the Net, the database of European Syrphidae. 65: 285pp.
- ^ Fauna Europaea
- ^ Simona Bonelli, Andrew Worgan, Sophie Everett and Karsten Schonrogge Host specificity in Microdon myrmicae, a sympatric social parasite to the Maculinea in moist grassland ecosystems in Studies on the Ecology and Conservation of Butterflies in Europe vol. 2, pp.69-71 a_sympatric_soicial_parasite_to_the_Maculinea_in_moist_grassland_ecosystems
- ^ Van Veen, M. (2004) Hoverflies of Northwest Europe: identification keys to the Syrphidae. 256pp. KNNV Publishing, Utrecht.addendum
- ^ Wolton, R. J. (2017). "Colour dimorphism in the hoverfly Microdon myrmicae Schönrogge et al.(Diptera, Syrphidae)". Dipterists Digest. 24: 169–173.
External links[]
- Microdontinae
- Insects described in 2002
- Diptera of Europe