The ant lion larva, often called the doodlebug, digs a conical pit in the sand and partially buries itself beneath the surface on the sandy slope. Examine the sickle-like jaws used to capture an unwary insect that tumbles into the pit. The captured prey is pulled beneath the sand and its body juices are drained by the ant lion larva's sucking mouth parts.

Adult ant lions are commonly observed around light sources at night. Resembling small damselflies, they are characterized by long, slender wings, clubbed antennae, and an erratic flight.