Rare Ant-Fly Species Discovered in Delhi and Western Ghats

• Scientists have identified two new ant-fly species, Metadon ghorpadei and Metadon reemeri, in India.
• Metadon ghorpadei was found in Delhi's Northern Ridge urban forest, while Metadon reemeri was discovered in Tamil Nadu's Siruvani Hills within the Western Ghats.
• These rare insects belong to the Microdontinae subfamily of hoverflies, whose larvae develop secretly inside ant nests, making them difficult to detect.
• The discovery highlights unexpected biodiversity in fragmented habitats and the importance of conserving urban forests and biodiversity hotspots.
• Researchers H Sankararaman and S S Anooj confirmed the new species through detailed morphological examination and DNA analysis.

Why It Matters: Two new ant-fly species were found in Delhi and Western Ghats, revealing hidden biodiversity in diverse habitats.