Myrmeleontiformia

Adults distinguished from other Neuroptera by combination of: forewing length 10–75 mm; elongated bodies with large, often clubbed antennae in Ascalaphidae; highly modified ribbon-like or spoon-shaped hindwings in Nemopteridae; reduced wing venation in some groups. Larvae recognized by prominent, forward-projecting sickle-shaped mandibles and maxillae forming piercing-sucking mouthparts; some with elongate, slender bodies for hunting in confined spaces.

Predominantly arid and semi-arid environments: sand and stone deserts, coastal dunes, dry river valleys (wadis), submountain and mountain regions (573–2089 m elevation), eremial high ranges, rocky habitats with dry low vegetation. Some species in coastal dunes where Carex grows. Larvae occupy diverse microhabitats: sand for pit-building species, soil crevices, tree bark, and confined spaces.

Worldwide; centers of diversity in arid areas of tropical and subtropical regions. Documented from: North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt), sub-Saharan Africa (Sudan, Kenya, Eritrea, Somalia, Mali, Senegal), Europe (Spain, Southern Europe), Middle East (Israel, Arabian Peninsula, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iran), Asia (Korea, Japan, China, Russia, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Myanmar), and fossil record (Cretaceous Kachin amber, ~100 Ma).

Adult flight periods vary by region: mainly spring (May), summer (June–July), and autumn (September) in temperate zones; year-round activity possible in tropical regions. Daytime activity limited to morning (until 10am) and late afternoon (after 4pm) in hot climates due to temperature constraints; some species fly both day and night.

Adults are skilled predators; some species feed on pollen. Larvae are ambush predators using prominent mandibles to capture prey.

Holometabolous development: egg, larva, pupa (in cocoon), and adult stages. Larvae of various developmental stages observed simultaneously in field populations. Some larvae construct conical pits in sand; others conceal themselves in substrate without pit construction. Field-collected larvae can be reared to adulthood in laboratory conditions.

Adults strongly attracted to UV light (160W mixed light lamps, 8W blacklight UV tubes). Larval predation strategies include: pit-building (conical sand traps), substrate concealment with rapid emergence to capture prey, and hunting in confined spaces. When prey detected, larvae rapidly emerge from sand, crawl forward to hunt, then crawl backward to rebury themselves, often leaving only prey exposed. Night collecting hindered by extreme wind in desert habitats.

Larval predation contributes to regulation of small arthropod populations in arid ecosystems. Adult predation and potential pollen feeding suggest roles in both arthropod population control and incidental pollination.

Antlion larvae (doodlebugs) are familiar to naturalists for their pit traps. Group has received limited taxonomic attention in some regions, with significant gaps in knowledge (e.g., Korea until 2021). Some species of conservation concern due to habitat specificity and restricted distributions.

• HemerobiiformiaOther major neuropteran suborder, but paraphyletic and not a natural group; distinguished by generally smaller size, different wing venation patterns, and larval habits (many are foliage-dwelling aphid predators rather than ground-dwelling ambush predators)
• Neuroptera (other families)Green lacewings (Chrysopidae) and brown lacewings (Hemerobiidae) have soft bodies, different wing venation with numerous crossveins, and larvae with sucking mouthparts but different body forms and hunting strategies

• neuropteran
• lacewing
• antlion
• owlfly
• predator
• ambush predator
• pit builder
• arid habitat
• fossil
• cretaaceous

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• New data to the Moroccan Myrmeleontiformia (Nemopteridae, Myrmeleontidae, Ascalaphidae) fauna
• New details of the enigmatic 100 million years old antlion-like larvae of Ankyloleon (Myrmeleontiformia, Neuroptera)
• A taxonomic review of the family Myrmeleontidae Latreille (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontiformia) from the Korean peninsula, highlighting the conservation value of this family