Vella americana

Adults are distinguished from damselflies by their short, clubbed antennae (versus long, thread-like antennae in damselflies). Among antlions, Vella americana is recognized by its exceptional size—wingspans of 100–120 mm or more, substantially larger than most Myrmeleontidae. The genus Vella contains three species; specific characters distinguishing V. americana from congeners are not detailed in available sources. Larvae lack the pit-digging behavior of Myrmeleon and instead bury themselves just below the surface.

Adults are large, delicate insects with long, slender bodies and broad, lacy wings. The wingspan reaches 100–120 mm or more, making this one of the largest North American antlions. Adults possess short, thick, clubbed antennae that distinguish them from superficially similar damselflies. Wings typically display dark spots and speckles that provide cryptic camouflage. When at rest, adults align themselves flat against substrates, rendering them nearly invisible. Larvae are robust, wrinkled, and studded with spines, with long, hooked mandibles characteristic of antlions.

Sandy substrates suitable for burrowing. Larvae are found in dry, sandy soils where they bury themselves just beneath the surface. The 'surface travel' behavior indicates larvae are periodically active on exposed substrates when relocating.

North America, specifically in the southern third of the United States according to one source. GBIF records confirm presence in North America.

Adults are frequently attracted to lights at night, suggesting nocturnal activity. Specific seasonal timing of adult emergence or larval activity periods are not documented in available sources.

Larval stage is the primary documented phase. Larvae bury themselves in sand and wait for prey. Pupation occurs inside a silken capsule spun underground, with sand grains incorporated into the cocoon—this is inferred from general Myrmeleontidae biology and the source's description of antlion pupation, though not explicitly confirmed for V. americana. Adult biology is poorly documented.

Larvae exhibit two distinctive behaviors: 'surface travel'—moving across the surface to new locations rather than burrowing continuously; and 'sand-blast'—rapid expulsion of sand from the mouth to clear debris or excavate. These behaviors were formally described in a 2017 study. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. When at rest, adults demonstrate remarkable crypsis by aligning themselves flat against grass stems or twigs, becoming essentially invisible.

Adults are frequently attracted to artificial lights at night, making them observable in residential areas. The large size and distinctive appearance of adults may attract attention from entomologists and naturalists.

• MyrmeleonPit-digging antlions; larvae construct characteristic funnel-shaped traps in fine soil, unlike Vella which buries itself just below the surface without pit construction
• ScotoleonAnother North American antlion genus; adults have elongated male abdomens with bracket-like claspers, and are generally smaller than Vella
• GlenurusNorth American antlion genus with spectacular black, white, and pink wingtips; distinguished from Vella by distinctive wing coloration

• antlion
• Myrmeleontidae
• Neuroptera
• large size
• nocturnal
• sand-blast behavior
• surface travel behavior
• cryptic adult
• southern United States
• light-attracted

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Bug Eric: "Doodlebugs" (Antlions)
• Deerly departed: food for flesh-recycling carrion beetles - Margined carrion beetle, Oiceoptoma noveboracense, and American carrion beetle, Necrophila americana — Bug of the Week
• As a Watershed is Urbanized, Damselflies Show Declines
• Silphidae | Beetles In The Bush
• Dark days for the Environment across Europe - Buglife Blog - Buglife
• Explorer or Wallflower? Study Shines Light on Cockroach Personalities
• Description of Two New Surface Behaviors in the Antlion Vella americana Drury (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae)