Subject: Mutant Dragonfly…?
Location: Texas Hill Country
July 16, 2013 8:17 pm
I found this rather large, fuzzy, four winged bug on my fence today. I am just reall curious as to know what it is, as are several other people I know. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Signature: Curious
Dear Curious,
This is an Antlion, Vella americana. You can verify our identification on BugGuide. If you and your neighbors are not familiar with the winged adult Antlion, perhaps you recall as a child playing with the larvae, commonly called Doodlebugs, which dig a pit in loose sandy soil. The saber jawed larva buries itself at the bottom of the pit and waits for unwary insects to tumble into its jaws.