Rate of parasitism of
antlion larvae, Myrmeleon bore (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) by the bee fly, Villa myrmeleonostena (Diptera: Bombyliidae).
Sand-dwelling
antlions in central Florida are non-invasive, nonendemic organisms that nevertheless thrive in the Florida scrub, a rare xeric ecosystem with a remarkably high rate of endemism (Deyrup 1990).
As a consequence,
antlion larvae that have their trap destroyed and consequently show reduced growth may result in smaller adults.
The effect of density on the spatial distribution of
antlion larvae has been studied.
Antlion pits are usually made in shaded areas such as under ledges of rock, under logs which do not touch the ground at all points or under man made sources of shade (Turner, 1915; Haub, 1942; Green, 1955; Topoff, 1977).
The
antlion started kicking, and he didn't knock the ant out of the pit.
Antlions live all over the world, and some kinds live in sandy places.
Antlion larvae (Neuroptera: Myrmeliontidae), the focus of the present study, are generalist predators of arthropods that move along the soil surface.
"One answer is that the
antlion is 'interrogating' much more sand to find and eject large grains than just the volume of sand that has to be removed to form the final pit."
Substrate particle size affects pit building decision and pit size in the
antlion larvae Euroleon nostras (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae).
Look for
antlion pits in dry, sandy soil in protected places, like near houses or under rock ledges.
In reality,
antlions bear no resemblance to elephants barring the two tiny prongs that could be misinterpreted as tusks.