Rearing and observation of immature stages of the hoverflyMicrodon katsurai(Diptera, Syrphidae).
BACKGROUND
The hoverfly Microdon (Chymophila) katsurai Maruyama et Hironaga 2004 was speculated to be a myrmecophilous species associated with the antPolyrhachis lamellidensbased on observations of adults near the ant nest. However, there have been no reports regarding the observation of immature stages of this species in association withP. lamellidens.


CONCLUSIONS
For the first time, we found threeM. katsurailarvae inside aP. lamellidensnest and conducted rearing experiments on the larvalM. katsurai.P. lamellidensworkers did not show any inspection or attack behavior against theM. katsurailarvae under rearing conditions, suggesting thatM. katsurailarvae can survive inside aP. lamellidensnest. Although no predatory behavior by theM. katsurailarvae was observed, all theM. katsurailarvae pupated and emerged in a rearing environment. The dorsal surface of the larvalM. katsuraihas a distinct pale green color with a uniform reticular structure. The puparium ofM. katsuraishows several morphological features that are characteristic of the subgenusChymophila. We conclude thatM. katsuraiis likely a myrmecophilous species that utilizesP. lamellidensas a specific host and that classification ofM. katsuraibased on puparium morphology is concordant with that based on adult morphology.
Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Japan; Faculty of Environmental and Information Studies, Keio University, Fujisawa, Japan.
Hironori
H
Iwai
Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Japan; Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Japan.
Daiki D
DD
Horikawa
Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Japan; Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Japan.
Kazuharu
K
Arakawa
Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Japan; Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa, Japan.
Masaru
M
Tomita
The Kyushu University Museum, Fukuoka, Japan.
Takashi
T
Komatsu
The Kyushu University Museum, Fukuoka, Japan.
Munetoshi
M
Maruyama
 Microdontinae ; Hover fly; Polyrhachis lamellidens; host record; myrmecophily; puparium