Myrmeleontidae

The Myrmeleontidae family, commonly known as antlions, are insects recognized for the predatory behavior of their larvae. These larvae are famous for digging funnel-shaped pits in sandy or dry regions. They bury themselves at the bottom of the pit, leaving only their powerful jaws exposed. When small insects fall into the pit, the antlion larva seizes them with its sickle-like jaws, sucks out their contents, and discards the empty skin.12

After a period of growth, the larva transforms into an adult antlion. Adult antlions are weak fliers with four narrow wings and short, clubbed antennae. Unlike their predatory larvae, adult antlions do not feed. The family Myrmeleontidae includes about 2,000 species found worldwide. In the United States, the antlion larva is often called a doodlebug.1