Two new rare ant fly species discovered

Source: TH

Subject: Species in News

Context: Researchers have discovered two new, extremely rare ant fly species from Delhi and the Western Ghats, underscoring the hidden biodiversity of urban forests and biodiversity hotspots.

About Two new rare ant fly species discovered:

What it is?

• Ant flies belong to the subfamily Microdontinae (family Syrphidae) and are renowned for myrmecophily—their larvae live inside ant nests and feed on ant brood. This specialised ecology makes them exceptionally rare and hard to detect.

Metadon ghorpadei

• Scientific name: Metadon ghorpadei

• Discovery site: Northern Ridge Forest, Delhi Ridge (urban, disturbed habitat)

• Key features: Microdontinae ant fly with ant-nest–dependent larval stage (myrmecophily). Adults are inconspicuous, seldom visit flowers, and stay close to ant colonies.

• Microdontinae ant fly with ant-nest–dependent larval stage (myrmecophily).

• Adults are inconspicuous, seldom visit flowers, and stay close to ant colonies.

• Significance: Reveals high conservation value of urban green patches, even fragmented forests. Highlights risks of habitat-specific biodiversity loss when urban planning focuses only on green cover.

• Reveals high conservation value of urban green patches, even fragmented forests.

• Highlights risks of habitat-specific biodiversity loss when urban planning focuses only on green cover.

Metadon reemeri

• Scientific name: Metadon reemeri

• Discovery site: Siruvani Hills, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu

• Key features: Shares specialised ant-associated life cycle typical of Microdontinae. Part of a poorly studied insect group despite the region’s strong protection.

• Shares specialised ant-associated life cycle typical of Microdontinae.

• Part of a poorly studied insect group despite the region’s strong protection.

• Significance: Adds to endemism-rich insect diversity of the Western Ghats. Signals the need for targeted surveys and molecular phylogenetics for lesser-known taxa.

• Adds to endemism-rich insect diversity of the Western Ghats.

• Signals the need for targeted surveys and molecular phylogenetics for lesser-known taxa.

Significance:

• Only 27 Microdontinae species are known from the Indian subcontinent (out of ~454 globally).

• Discoveries stress habitat mapping, invasive control, and native vegetation restoration to conserve cryptic insect fauna across urban forests and biodiversity hotspots.