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larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Antlions (Family: Myrmeleontidae) > Antlion (Myrmeleon) trap
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08-SEP-2013 Christine Hanrahan

Antlion (Myrmeleon) trap

Antlions are not ants, and defintely not lions! They belong to the Family Myrmeleontidae. The larvae of the Genus Myrmeleon, build these pitfall traps in sandy sites. The larvae lie in wait at the very bottom of this cone-shaped trap, waiting for unsuspecting insects to fall in, at which, they pounce, like a lion. The larvae are quite fierce looking, judging by photos, but I've never seen one, only their distinctive traps. The adults are rarely seen, mostly because they are content to rest along branches in daytime, rendering them almost totally inconspicuous. Superficially, they look a bit like the insect in the next photo, the fishfly.

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
1/160s f/3.2 at 5.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Peter Sussex05-Feb-2014 22:24
Very practical image, broadens my mind as well. V
Karen Stuebing05-Feb-2014 21:58
An ingenious and deadly trap. I imagine if you're a tiny bug there is no way to climb out. Great capture of this pit. V.
Hank Vander Velde05-Feb-2014 21:36
Great image and info Christine.
Sam Rua05-Feb-2014 20:52
Here's the link that contains the image:http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Ceti_eel
Sam Rua05-Feb-2014 20:51
Growing up in a small town with not much to do meant spending lots of time seeing what they could capture. The larvae have to be the basis for the Ceti eel in Star Trek's Wrath of Khan.
J. Scott Coile05-Feb-2014 20:50
I can almost sense the helpless insects slipping away.
joseantonio05-Feb-2014 20:48
Always a pleasure to learn with you.V
hayl05-Feb-2014 20:43
Most unusual larvae behaviour and it takes someone with your knowledge to spot
this trap.
Jim Coffman05-Feb-2014 20:36
Another lesson learned! Thank you...
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