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Microdon sp. (Syrphidae)
& Linepithema oblongum
Jujuy, Argentina

photograph © Alex Wild 2009

Larvae of syrphid flies in the genus Microdon are so odd that they were originally described as molluscs.  The adults are more or less normal-looking flies, but the larvae are predators of ant brood.

 
Argentina, Jujuy: 
5 km N Termas de Reyes
24º07.5'S 65º29.5'W 1900m
21.iii.2009 Montane Riparian Forest.
Inside ant nest in rotting log.

This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS 20D, using a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.