Antlion (Larve Stage)

Description:

These guys are one of my all time favorite insects one reason is because they look like the Ceti Alpha V Eel from Star Trek II Wrath of Khan but the main reason is the way they hunt ants and keep there populations in check. These guys feed almost exclusively on ants but will attack other insects too. Also known as the "Doodle Bug" these ant hunters live in sandpits that they have excavaded by walking backwards making a cone shape sand trap. When an ant waltzes into the sand put it is really hard for it to get out of the sand and to make matters worse for the ant the Antlion will flick sand onto the ant causing it to fall to the center of the pit. Then the Antlion injects the ant with venom which turns the ants internal organs to juicey mush which then like a spider the Antlion feeds on it like an ant guy slushy. Then once the corpse is slurped dry the Antlion will flick out the body and wait for another meal. The Antlion once it gets out of the Larva stage will turn into a beautiful Dragonfly like creature and will mate than die feeding on ants no more. I put this guy my shovle while I was gardening I accidentally pulled this guy up but put him back to leave him at peace.

Habitat:

Sandy areas in forests and backyards and other Sandy areas.