Two Rare Metadon Ant Fly Species Found in Delhi and Ghats
Why in the news
Two ant flies from an urban forest and a hotspot showed how much hidden biodiversity remains.
Key facts
- Group: Microdontinae, family Syrphidae.
- Larvae live in ant nests and eat ant brood, a trait called myrmecophily, which makes them rare and hard to study.
| Species | Site |
|---|---|
| Metadon ghorpadei | Northern Ridge Forest, Delhi Ridge (urban, fragmented forest) |
| Metadon reemeri | Siruvani Hills, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu |
Exam angle
- Term: myrmecophily.
- Site match: M. ghorpadei – Delhi Ridge; M. reemeri – Siruvani Hills, Tamil Nadu.