The Reality of Antlions: Harmful or Harmless?

Antlions are fascinating insects known for their unique hunting method, trapping ants and other small creatures in cone-shaped pits.

While these hunters might seem intimidating, many people wonder if they are harmful to humans, pets, or the environment.

Adult antlions are often mistaken for damselflies, but they are harmless as well, mainly active during calm, late-summer sunsets, and evenings.

While they might be unsettling for some to encounter, understanding that antlions are not harmful can lead to a greater appreciation for these intriguing insects.

Do Antlions Have a Bite? Are They Harmful?

While Antlions possess the capability to bite humans, such instances typically occur when they perceive threats, feel cornered, or experience excessive stress.

Although their bites may cause a momentary stinging sensation, the discomfort usually subsides within a few minutes. It is worth noting that certain species of Antlions can, in rare cases, induce radiating pain.

However, it is important to highlight that Antlions are not known to be carriers of diseases, and despite their ability to bite, such occurrences are infrequent.

Antlions generally prefer loose, dry, sandy soil for their pits and thrive in areas protected from rain and wind, like sunny south-facing slopes or beneath eaves of houses.

Their primary prey are ants, and their presence can be considered beneficial for controlling ant populations.

Understanding Lifecycle and Orientation of Antlions

Lifecycle and Metamorphosis

Antlions are fascinating insects known for their unique predatory behavior and interesting life cycle. Let’s explore the lifecycle and metamorphosis of antlions:

Egg: The lifecycle of an antlion begins with the egg stage. Female antlions lay their eggs in sandy or loose soil, typically near a source of food.

The eggs are small, oval-shaped, and usually laid in clusters. The exact number of eggs laid can vary depending on the species.

Larval Stage: Once the eggs hatch, antlions enter the larval stage, which is the longest and most distinct stage of their life cycle.

Antlion larvae are commonly referred to as “doodlebugs” due to their peculiar, meandering trails left behind in the sand.

The larval stage is characterized by a specialized body shape and behavior. Antlion larvae have elongated, grub-like bodies with large, sickle-shaped jaws used for capturing prey.

They are primarily predators and feed on other small insects, such as ants, beetles, and even fellow antlion larvae.

The larval stage can last anywhere from a few months to a couple of years, depending on environmental conditions and food availability.

Pupal Stage: When the larva reaches a certain size and has gone through several molts, it enters the pupal stage. Antlion pupae are inactive and reside within a cocoon-like structure constructed from silk and sand particles.

This cocoon helps protect them during the pupal period, which is a transformative stage leading to adulthood.

Adult Stage: After a period of development within the pupal stage, the antlion emerges as an adult insect. Adult antlions resemble damselflies or dragonflies, with long, delicate wings, elongated bodies, and large compound eyes.

Antlions Belong to the Neuroptera Family

The Myrmeleontidae family, which belongs to the order Neuroptera, consists of over 2,000 antlion species.

• Similarities: Both antlions and other members of Neuroptera share delicate, veined wings and undergo a complete metamorphosis during their lifecycle.

• Differences: Antlion larvae have unique methods for catching prey, with conical pit traps setting them apart from other Neuroptera. Additionally, antlion adults have distinct wing patterns and body shapes.

Examples of other insects within the Neuroptera family include lacewings and owlflies, though they differ from antlions in terms of prey-catching methods, body structures, and ecological roles.

Antlions as Predators

Antlion larvae construct cone-shaped pits in loose sand or soil, which serve as traps for unsuspecting prey. They position themselves at the bottom of the pit, buried under the sand, with only their jaws visible.

When a potential meal, such as an ant, walks near the edge of the pit and disturbs the sand, the antlion larva quickly flicks the sand upward, creating a mini-avalanche that drags the prey down into its waiting jaws.

Feeding Mechanism

Antlions, also known as doodlebugs, are insects with unique feeding mechanism. Their larval stage has:

• Flattened, soft-bodied appearance
• Segmented abdomens
• 6 legs
• Large, sickle-like pincers, often with spines

These pincers are used to grasp and capture their prey, typically ants and other small insects.

Hunting Techniques

Antlion larvae are experts in creating cone-shaped pits, also called traps, in the soil or sand. These pits are:

• Up to 2 inches in diameter and depth
• Designed to capture ants and other small insects

As the larvae wait at the bottom of these pits, they use their powerful jaws, or mandibles, to grab their prey. When a victim falls into the pit, the antlion quickly injects venom through its mandibles to subdue it.

Example

A common prey species is the ant. When an unsuspecting ant enters the cone-shaped pit, it loses its footing and gets trapped by the soil or sand structure. Quickly, the antlion larva seizes the opportunity, grabbing the ant and injecting the venom.

Comparison Table

Beneficial Aspects of Antlions

Ecological Role

Antlions play an essential part in the ecosystem. They help maintain a balance in the insect population by preying on small insects, such as ants and other insects.

As larvae, antlions create unique conical pits in soft, dry soil. This activity not only helps aerate the soil but also provides a beneficial habitat for other insects.

Insect Control

Antlions are considered beneficial insects due to their predatory nature, feeding on various insects that could potentially harm plants and flowers. For example, they feed on:

• Ants
• Small beetles
• Mites

These predatory insects also serve as food for other beneficial species like lacewings. Adult antlions have a diet consisting of pollen and nectar which aids in plant pollination.

Comparison of Antlions and Lacewings

In conclusion, antlions play a crucial role in both the ecosystem and insect control. They contribute to maintaining a balance in the insect population, provide a suitable habitat, and support other beneficial insects in the process.

Physical Characteristics

Adult Antlions

• Adult antlions are larger than their larvae and resemble drab damselflies
• They have elongated bodies and four intricately veined wings mottled with browns and black

Adult antlions are physically distinct from larval stages. They are larger and resemble drab damselflies.

With elongated bodies, they sport four intricately veined wings mottled browns and black. These creatures have clubbed or curved antennae that are about as long as the combined head and thorax.

Antlion Larvae

• Antlion larvae are oval, plump, and flattened with soft bodies
• They possess segmented abdomens, bristles, and six legs

In contrast, antlion larvae have oval, plump, and flattened bodies that are segmented and typically dirt-colored. Their bodies are adorned with bristles and six legs.

Comparison Table

Antlion larvae reside in sandy soil across North America, where they can remain motionless or play dead as a means of survival. This characteristic allows them to avoid detection by predators, while in their natural habitat.

Interaction With Humans

As Pets

Antlions are mostly harmless, although they might occasionally bite. They can create a sense of curiosity for their unique hunting strategies, making them an interesting choice for a pet.

They prefer sandy areas when in their larval stage, so keeping them in a container with a sandy environment is ideal. Some of their main dietary needs include:

• Fruit flies
• Aphids

Although antlions might not be as popular or easy to care for as other pets, they provide a chance to observe the marvels of nature up close.

Research and Observations

Antlions have been subject to various research and observations as part of their ecological significance.

In a study published in Biology Letters, researchers found that antlions have unique relationships with other insects, such as the chalcid wasp (Lasiochalcidia igiliensis), which helps them survive and thrive.

When comparing antlions to another group of insects called owlflies, we can observe various differences:

Antlions are also related to the Palpares genus, which can be differentiated by their unique wing venation patterns.

Environmental Impact

Although they might seem like a potential nuisance, antlions have very little negative impact on human activities. They help control populations of small insects in sandy areas, such as beaches or deserts.

They are considered an important part of the ecosystem and can even act as indicators of environmental health.

Conclusion

 Antlions are fascinating insects with unique hunting strategies and beneficial contributions to their ecosystems. They are not harmful to humans, pets, or the environment, although they might occasionally bite.

Understanding their physical characteristics, lifecycle, and interactions with other insects helps in gaining a deeper understanding of these remarkable creatures.

Subject: Scorpion fly female?
Location: South central Virginia
August 2, 2016 6:35 pm
Hi, I took a photo of this pretty insect and was trying to identify it. I think it might be a scorpion fly female. I’m in south central Virginia. Thank you!
Signature: Nina Eagle