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Antlion (Larvae)

Myrmeleon sp.

Description:

In photo # 1, you can see the antlion larvae in the lower left corner - mandibles are facing 2 o'clock. This was a rare sighting as I saw a stick fall into an antlion den and after it could not move the stick, it went looking for another place to burrow. In phone #2, you can see the sand being kicked in the air by the antlion who is at the bottom of the funnel-shaped den trap. Photo #3 is the same as #1 - but used to highlight where it is in relation to its background, which it mimics/blends in well.

Notes:

Fascinating creature. Nothing like what it will become when it leaves the larval stage. An ant will walk along and slip into the funnel. As it struggles to get out, the antlion is below, throwing up sand to make the poor ant fall to the bottom of the funnel-shaped trap and into the tummy of the antlion.

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freelancing
Spotted by
freelancing

Kaufman, Texas, USA

Spotted on Aug 28, 2011
Submitted on Apr 28, 2012

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