Explanation of Names
Author of genus is Meigen, 1803. Microdon presumably means "small tooth".
Numbers
Nearctica.com and Arnett list 31 species.
(1) Identification
Medium-sized bee-mimics. Form of (long) antennae is apparently distinctive.
Range
Likely much of North America. Genus is also found in Eurasia, neotropics.
Season
Typically early summer. May-June (various species, North Carolina). July-October (M. pachstylum--no longer valid name?, sandhills of North Carolina). June (M. tristis, Minnesota), August (M. pseudoglobusus, Minnesota). July (M. fulgens, Oklahoma)
Food
Adults presumably take nectar.
Life Cycle
Larvae slug-like, predatory, occur in ant nests. Adults reported to be seen hovering over ant mounds, presumably for oviposition.
Print References
Brimley, p. 348, gives season for several species in North Carolina.
(2)
Lutz, 3rd ed., p. 229--ill. head, p. 254--brief description of life history
(3)Internet References
Insects of Cedar Creek:
photos,
family account,
phenology--family
Contributed by
Joel Kits on 19 April, 2005 - 10:17am
Additional contributions by
cotinisLast updated 5 June, 2005 - 6:38am