India has recorded two new species of extremely rare ant flies, strengthening the case for conserving both urban forests and biodiversity hotspots. The species, Metadon ghorpadei and Metadon reemeri, belong to the subfamily Microdontinae of the hoverfly family Syrphidae. Their discovery adds to the limited Indian record of this specialised group, which is closely associated with ants.
Discovery and Classification
The two species were identified through detailed morphological examination and DNA analysis. The findings were published in the journal Zootaxa. The study also reviewed the Indian fauna of the genus Metadon and redescribed six previously known species. Until now, only six species of this genus had been reported from India.
Habitats of the New Species
- Metadon ghorpadei was found in the northern ridge forest of Delhi.
- The site is a disturbed urban forest patch surrounded by roads, traffic and dense habitation.
- The northern ridge is part of the Delhi ridge, an extension of the ancient Aravalli hill range.
- Metadon reemeri was discovered in the Siruvani hills of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu.
Why These Flies Are Rare
Microdontinae flies are known for myrmecophily, a specialised life cycle in which larvae live inside ant nests and feed on ant brood. Adults rarely visit flowers and are difficult to observe. This makes the group exceptionally rare and poorly studied. Globally, 454 species are known, but only 27 are recorded from the Indian subcontinent.
Conservation Significance
The discovery marks the ecological value of urban green spaces beyond tree cover alone. It also underlines the need to protect habitat-specific biodiversity in cities and in sensitive regions such as the Western Ghats. Researchers have called for targeted surveys, habitat mapping, control of invasive plants, restoration of native vegetation and molecular studies to understand species divergence and endemism.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026