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Hello to all,
can I make this one fix as Microdon analis or might it be as well a different species?
Size approx. 12±2mm

Found 21.5.2009, Austria, Salzburger Land, near Golling, about 500m asl

Greetings
Rupert

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2nd pic

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No comments?

Greetings
Rupert

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Well, there has been some changes in European Microdon taxonomy recently. Some species appeared to be cryptic species as so with Microdon analis. The adults can not be recognized but differences can be found in the structure of the larval skin. Also different ant host species are used by the larvae.
So probably your fly is Microdon analis but Microdon major can not be excluded.
If you observe a Microdon it is always wise to look in the direct neighbourhood of the fly if you can find a ant's nest. Microdon analis lives together with Lasius (probably only Lasius platythorax) ants with nests in dead wood. Microdon major with Formica nests in dead wood (Formica sanguinea amongst other Formica species).
Most of the time the flies don't struggle very far from the host's nest.

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Thanks, caliprobola, for this information. So next time when I find Microdon, I'll try to spot some ants around, hoping they are coming from the fly's hosts' nest.

Greetings
Rupert

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when i was in the Belgian Ardennes last week we saw Microdon analis at several occasions and at almost every occasion we found a ant's nest in the direct neighbourhood (+ 1m) of the fly. look for decaying wood stumps.