Cocoon Mimicry and Predation by Myrmecophilous Diptera (Diptera: Syrphidae)

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Abstract
Three species of myrmecophilous Microdon (Diptera: Syrphidae) M. albicomatus Novak, M. cothurnatus Bigot, and M. Piperi Knab, exhibit aggressive mimicry as immatures. In nests of their host ants (species of Camponotus and Formica), the 1st and 2nd larval instars resemble the ant cocoons upon which they prey and are transported with the cocoons by workers. Immatures are not attacked by their host ants and appear to possess chemical as well as physical attributes providing integration with their host.

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