Antlion ( Adult )

Description:

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae ( Antlion ) - Antlion, common name for an insect larva, that digs a funnel-shaped pitfall, in fine, loose sand, and lies in wait at the bottom, for its prey, which consists of ants and other insects, that tumble into the pitfall. Hundreds of antlion species, are distributed throughout the tropical regions of the world. More than 50, North American species are known, some of which are common in the southern United States. A full-grown antlion, is usually about 1.0 cm long, and has large, powerful jaws. It pupates in a sand-covered cocoon, during the spring. The adult emerges from the cocoon, after metamorphosis. It is a delicate-winged, usually gray or brown insect, that resembles a damsel fly. Antlions, are also called doodlebugs. For most North American species, fully developed larvae, are about 1.5 cm long. Adults, are approximately 4 cm long, and have a wingspan of 8cm. The adult is seldom seen in the wild, because it is only active, in the evening. During the day, it rests motionless, well-camouflaged, by its transparent wings and dusk body. The antlion larvae, eat small arthopods-mainly ants- while the adults of some species, eat small pollen and nectar, while others are predators of small arthopods, in the adult stage too. The adult, has two pairs of long, narrow, multi-veined wings, in which the apical veins, enclose regular oblong spaces, and a long, slender abdomen. They are also, very feeble fliers. This antlion, had two, long antennae, and two, black, compound eyes. This antlion, had six legs, and two pairs of transparent wings. It had a head, thorax, and an abdomen. It had a long, slim abdomen. The top of the wings, was a black and brown color, and the wings, were also heavily veined. There was also, one gray spot, on each of the top wings. The colors of the abdomen, was alternating colors, of black and gray. This antlion was alive, and able to fly.

Habitat:

Antlions, are worldwide in distribution, most common in arid and sandy habitats. Antlions, are especially abundant, in soft sand beneath trees or under overhanging rocks. Apparently the larvae, prefer dry places that are protected from the rain. I saw an adult antlion, resting on a concrete wall, on the outside of my house.

Notes:

I went outside at 7:00 a.m. in the morning. I saw an adult antlion, resting on a concrete wall, on the outside of my house. This antlion, had two antennae, and two, black, compound eyes. This antlion, had six legs, and two pairs of transparent wings. It had a head, thorax, and an abdomen. It had a long, slim abdomen. The top of the wings, was a black and brown color, and the wings, were also heavily veined. There were also, one gray spot, on each of the top wings. The colors of the abdomen, was alternating colors, of black and gray. This antlion was alive, and able to fly.