Page 88 - The Miracle in the Ant

The larvae of syrphid flies (Microdon) overwinter deep within the ant
nest and, in spring, they move to the surface of the nest to pupate. In
the course of research, the larvae were observed to disappear immedi-
ately upon hatching and they were thought to be dead, with a single re-
maining larva clinging to the outer surface of an ant cocoon. The mag-
nification revealed the larva becoming rounder and rounder, as if it were
exerting pressure to distort its shape. Suddenly, it was simply gone. The
larva had inserted its mouth hooks into the silken cocoon and created a
hole large enough to allow it to enter. The disappearing larvae were sim-
ply inside the cocoons, feeding on the ant pupae and molting into the
next larval stage. Microdon larvae, at later stages, folded themselves
lengthwise until they were practically indistinguishable from ant co-
coons. After this transformation, agitated worker ants arrived, seized the
impostor young, and carried them to the safe depths of the nest. 57
This was an unusual case of mimicry. The ants perceived the fly lar-
vae to be ant cocoons. During research, it was noticed that the chem-
istry of the outer, hard cuticle of the larval flies and that of larval ants
matched almost perfectly. In other words, fly larvae were able to imitate
ant cocoons chemically as well.
Chemical analysis confirmed that this was a case of true chemical
mimicry. Then how could the Microdon larvae employ this imitation?
On the underside of the larvae are elaborate protuberances, the func-
tion of which was not known. It is now suspected that they contain
glands or glandular openings for secreting the chemicals that the larvae
use to mimic their hosts. 58
Then, how can a being who does not even know the meaning of
"chemistry" perform such an impersonation? And only the larvae of
Microdon flies have such a defence system, never the adults. Since this
ability of impersonation is not known in adult flies, it is not something
which can be thought out. This means that the larvae have this ability
from birth.
No coincidence can implant a chemical order in the body of a larva
that will cause it to impersonate ants. The only conclusion that may be
derived from this event is that the larvae are born into this world already
equipped with this feature.

Kar›nca Mucizesi
88 THE MIRACLE IN THE ANT