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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 larvae are predators of ant brood, living within the dark galleries of ant nests (in this case, with Linepithema oblongum). Termas de Reyes, Jujuy, Argentina
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 larvae are predators of ant brood, living within the dark galleries of ant nests (in this case, with Linepithema oblongum). Termas de Reyes, Jujuy, Argentina
A very young worker ant. Ants begin their adult life as soft, pale creatures. Their integument hardens and strengthens over time. Linepithema oblongum. Carapunco, Tucumán, Argentina
Wham! A parasitic phorid fly (Pseudacteon) plants her ovipositor between the abdominal sclerites of a Linepithema oblongum worker ant to lay her egg. The oviposition takes less than a second. The hapless ant will later be consumed alive by the developing fly larva. Termas de Reyes, Jujuy, Argentina
Linepithema oblongum carrying a pupa in the brood nest. Carapunco, Tucumán, Argentina
Linepithema oblongum carrying a pupa in the brood nest. Carapunco, Tucumán, Argentina
A very young worker ant. Ants begin their adult life as soft, pale creatures. Their integument hardens and strengthens over time. Linepithema oblongum. Carapunco, Tucumán, Argentina
Portrait of Linepithema oblongum, the sister species of the infamous Argentine ant L. humile. Little is known about the biology of this ant, in spite of its close relation to a major pest. Salta, Argentina
Wham! A parasitic phorid fly (Pseudacteon) plants her ovipositor between the abdominal sclerites of a Linepithema oblongum worker ant to lay her egg. The oviposition takes less than a second. The hapless ant will later be consumed alive by the developing fly larva. Termas de Reyes, Jujuy, Argentina
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 larvae are predators of ant brood, living within the dark galleries of ant nests (in this case, with Linepithema oblongum).

Termas de Reyes, Jujuy, Argentina
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 larvae are predators of ant brood, living within the dark galleries of ant nests (in this case, with Linepithema oblongum). Termas de Reyes, Jujuy, Argentina
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 larvae are predators of ant brood, living within the dark galleries of ant nests (in this case, with Linepithema oblongum).

Termas de Reyes, Jujuy, Argentina
See photo in original gallery.
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013