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Photo#2324800
fly - Microdon scauros
Copyright © 2024 Larry Reis

fly - Microdon scauros

Hayden Prairie State Preserve, Howard County, Iowa, USA
July 29, 2023
I think this is an ant fly in the genus Microdon, based on the shape of its antennae. The dark coloration is suggestive of Microdon tristis but I only have photos from the back so a species ID is probably not possible.

Images of this individual: tag all
fly - Microdon scauros fly - Microdon scauros
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Contributed by Larry Reis on 10 January, 2024 - 8:04am
Last updated 12 January, 2024 - 4:27pm

Comments

Moved
Moved from Microdon.

Kevin Moran agrees that this is likely M. scauros (personal communication to Bill Dean).
… Ken Wolgemuth, 12 January, 2024 - 4:27pm login or register to post comments

 
Microdon scauros
Thanks so much for this great news and for moving this ant fly to Microdon scauros, Ken.
… Larry Reis, 12 January, 2024 - 5:03pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Flies.
… Ken Wolgemuth, 10 January, 2024 - 10:08am login or register to post comments

 
Microdon
Thanks for moving this ant fly to the genus Microdon, Ken.
… Larry Reis, 10 January, 2024 - 10:19am login or register to post comments

The flagellum is much longer
The flagellum is much longer than scape; the scutellum with prominent inward-pointing calcars and is the mesotibia mostly orange? This looks a lot like the undescribed species 17-1 on page 46 and 47 of Skevington`s Field Guide which is now named Microdon scauros. I have sent this around for opinions...
… Bill Dean, 10 January, 2024 - 9:01am login or register to post comments

 
The flagellum is much longer
Yes, I had looked at that undescribed species in my Field Guide to the Flower Flies of Northeastern North America since it was the only other really dark-colored flower fly in the guide. Thanks for your informative comments about this ant fly, Bill.
… Larry Reis, 10 January, 2024 - 10:04am login or register to post comments

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