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Antlion

Glenurus gratus

Description:

Very large fairy-type creature that came to my porch light

Habitat:

Woodland, front porch light

Notes:

Very slow in flight. Nocturnal adult. Larvae live in hollowed-out trees, in debris and are very predatory.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Pleasing Picture-winged Antlion
Glenurus gratus Species Glenurus gratus - BugGuide.Net


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20 Comments

DianePlatcoBrooks
DianePlatcoBrooks 11 years ago

So sorry, I forgot to thank Harsuame and Gilma Jeannette. Much appreciated.

DianePlatcoBrooks
DianePlatcoBrooks 11 years ago

I like to think so AuntNance. Even more so once you see them fly.
Thank you Roland.

RolandEGauthier
RolandEGauthier 11 years ago

Amazing wings, so awesome appearance..nice shot

auntnance123
auntnance123 11 years ago

You're welcome, Diane. I wouldn't be surprised if these lovelies were the inspiration for the tales of fairies.

DianePlatcoBrooks
DianePlatcoBrooks 11 years ago

Thank you all, and thank you AuntNance for the most helpful information.

C.Sydes
C.Sydes 11 years ago

thanks for the pointers Auntnance - that's the nice thing about Project Noah - one is always picking up new snippets of information.

And let me reiterate Diane - lovely photos

They look like evening damselfly :0 Fascinating creature...

Sergio Monteiro
Sergio Monteiro 11 years ago

Beautiful critter and very nice photos, congratulations.

LaurenZarate
LaurenZarate 11 years ago

Thank you auntnance for all the wonderful information in your links. I never knew there were tree hole antlions and it is fascinating.

auntnance123
auntnance123 11 years ago

Until I met this beautiful antlion (http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/115...), I was only familiar with the funnel shaped traps of "doodlebugs". The larval lives of these insects are significantly different. http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc...

C.Sydes
C.Sydes 11 years ago

a very beautiful antlion, great spot.

Our antlion larvae all live in the soil at the apex of their inverted cone excavations, they patiently wait for prey, such as ants to fall into their trap, the sides are of an angle that prevents the prey from climbing out

LaurenZarate
LaurenZarate 11 years ago

Hi Diane. It would be wonderful if your hollow tree still had larvae!

DianePlatcoBrooks
DianePlatcoBrooks 11 years ago

Thank you Lauren. I was in awe of this beauty the whole time it was on my porch. At that time I didn't even know what it was ! No I'm sorry I do not have a photo of the larvae, but I know of a huge hollowed-out beech tree in the back woods where I wouldn't doubt this adult came from.

LaurenZarate
LaurenZarate 11 years ago

This is just sooo beautiful! Antlions are usually so plain. Do you have a photo of the larva and the pits in a hollowed out tree? I would love to see that!

DianePlatcoBrooks
DianePlatcoBrooks 11 years ago

Thank you Adarsha

Adarsha B S
Adarsha B S 11 years ago

Lovely spotting!

DianePlatcoBrooks
DianePlatcoBrooks 11 years ago

Thank you Karen, I have removed it.

KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

Lovely! I've not seen one with its wings spread before. Please remove this from the flies mission though as this mission is only for true flies from the order Diptera.
Welcome to the community Diane!

rutasandinas
rutasandinas 11 years ago

Hermoso vitral :: arte en alas

DianePlatcoBrooks
Spotted by
DianePlatcoBrooks

Ohio, USA

Spotted on Aug 30, 2012
Submitted on Nov 19, 2012

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