
Community identification
Antlion
Myrmeleontidae
- Order & Family
- Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae
- Size
- 2-15 mm (larvae), 20-50 mm (adults)
Natural Habitat
Dry, sandy areas, beneath eaves, or under forest floors
Diet & Feeding
Larvae are predators eating ants and small arthropods; adults feed on pollen/nectar
Behavior Patterns
Larvae dig conical pits in sand to trap prey; undergo complete metamorphosis
Risks & Benefits
Generally beneficial as they control pest populations; harmless to humans