Antlion and Antlion Lacewing
Myrmeleon formicarius
Small funnel-shaped pits in the sand become the undoing of ants and other insects. At the bottom waits the antlion, ready for prey to slip down the steep sides and tumble straight into its jaws. The antlion seizes its victims, bites them and kills them with a venom that liquefies their insides. It then sucks them dry and throws the empty husk out of the pit.
After pupation, the antlion becomes the antlion lacewing. It resembles a dragonfly, but it is related to lacewings and is not a strong flyer. It spends its short adult life close to the habitat of the larvae.
1 – Jaws
The antlion holds its prey with two jaws before biting.
2 – Bristles
Its body is densely covered with bristles.
3 – Abdomen
The antlion moves backwards and drills itself into the sand with its abdomen.
4 – True size
From head to thorax, the antlion measures about 1.7 cm.
Funnel Trap
The 17 mm long antlion builds circular traps with a diameter of 50 mm. On the steep sides of these funnels, ants and other prey animals can no longer climb back out.
Cocoon
During its two-year larval life, the antlion moults twice, then spins itself into a cocoon. The antlion lacewing emerges from this cocoon.
Antlion Lacewing
The adult insect has transparent wings with a wingspan of 7 to 8 cm. It lives in shrubs and on plant stems and hunts small insects at dusk.
Family
Myrmeleontidae, antlion lacewings
Genus
Myrmeleon
Distribution
Antlion lacewings occur on all continents except Antarctica. They prefer dry, sunny locations. Their larvae, the antlions, live in sandy ground in rain-sheltered places.
Threats and Conservation
In Austria, antlion lacewings are not endangered and are common. Their natural enemies include ichneumon wasps and other predatory insects.