Not as big as a lion but just as scary
These awesome looking insects use a homemade deathtrap to capture prey. Once the ant lion has worn out its prey it goes for a paralyzing bite and drags its immobile victim under the sand to feast. Pretty creepy but awesome! This is just its larval stage, it also pupates into a flying monster. Here are some videos. More info below.
Nice explanation and footage of the ant lion
More dramatic footage of the ant lion hunting
Awesome footage of the ant lion pupating
Very informative video
Taken by Gilles San Martin via Flickr
Image taken by cyanocorax via Flickr
Image taken by Gilles San Martin via Flickr
Image taken by Gilles San Marin via Flickr
Image taken by Joseph Berger via Wikipedia
Image taken by Buddy Venturanza via Wikipedia
Scientific Name: Myrmeleontidae
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Neuroptera
Family: Myrmeleontidae
Genus: Many different types (Denroleon)
Key Characteristics:
- Gets its name because its main food source are ants and it's like a "lion" among ants
- Isn't very particular about the soil it uses for digging as long as it is composed of small, dry, and loose particles
- Most North American species are about 1.5 cm (0.6 in.) long in their fully developed larval stage
- Adults are about 4 cm (1.5 in.) long with a 8 cm (3.2 in.) wingspan
- The larvae is covered in small bristles that face forward so as to not interfere when it is digging its pit backwards
- Sickle-like jaws are hollow that can pierce their prey and inject venom
- The ant lion pummels its prey with sand to prevent it from escaping but at the same time causes the walls of the pit to collapse in a land slide. The ant lion is stalling for time, waiting to strike it's exhausted victim.
- Adult ant lions are nocturnal and don't live very long. Their main purpose is to mate at this stage in their life.
- Ant lions can live up to 3 years in their larval stage
Diet:
- Larvae mostly eat ants but will eat anything small enough it can catch including spiders
- Some adults also eat small insects but others only eat pollen and nectar
Habitat/Geography:
- Found around the whole world with about 2,000 different species
- Found in warm and dry environments mostly to avoid rain.
Fun Fact:
- Ant lions are also called "doodle bugs" because they leave twisty and curve shaped trails in the soil (like this)
Sources:
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