Myrmeleon carolinus

Banks, 1943

Myrmeleon carolinus is a North American antlion in the Myrmeleontidae. Its larvae construct conical pitfall traps in sandy substrates to capture small ground-dwelling arthropods, a characteristic of the Myrmeleon. Laboratory studies indicate that pit size varies with feeding history and prior pit-building experience, suggesting that physiological constraints alone do not determine trap dimensions. The species was described by Banks in 1943 and is accepted as valid in current taxonomic databases.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Myrmeleon carolinus: /mɪrˈmiːliən kɛˈroʊlɪnəs/

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Identification

Larvae can be distinguished from other antlion by their pit-building ; in North America, only Myrmeleon construct such traps. Specific identification of M. carolinus larvae from requires examination of morphological characters not detailed in available sources. resemble delicate but possess short, clubbed rather than the thread-like antennae of Odonata.

Habitat

Sandy substrates suitable for pit construction by larvae; has been observed in sawdust beds with appropriate loose texture, suggesting flexibility in substrate requirements beyond pure sand.

Distribution

North America; specific range boundaries within the continent are not well-documented in available sources.

Diet

Larvae are predatory on small ground-dwelling arthropods, particularly ants. Prey is captured in pitfall traps, immobilized with hollow , and liquefied through before consumption.

Life Cycle

Holometabolous development with larval, pupal, and stages. Larvae construct silken cocoons incorporating sand grains for underground. Adults emerge from these subterranean pupal chambers.

Behavior

Larvae walk backwards exclusively, using this movement to dig pits in a spiral pattern while flicking sand with their jaws and . When disturbed, larvae bury themselves rapidly with a backwards shuffle into the substrate. They flick sand onto prey to prevent escape and can use head-flicking to right themselves when overturned.

Ecological Role

of small soil-dwelling arthropods; pit construction modifies local substrate structure and may influence microhabitat conditions for other ground-dwelling organisms.

Human Relevance

Larvae are frequently encountered in educational contexts due to their easily observable pit traps and the "doodlebug" colloquial name. They can be maintained in captivity with sand substrate and periodic feeding of small insects.

Similar Taxa

Myrmeleon immaculatusAnother common North American Myrmeleon with similar pit-building larval ; specific distinguishing characters for larvae are not well-documented in available sources.
Scotoleon spp. males have elongated with bracket-like claspers, unlike the more generalized body form of Myrmeleon adults; larvae do not construct pits and are free-living under objects or in sand.
Glenurus spp. often have striking black, white, and pink wingtip patterns; larvae are free-living rather than pit-building.

More Details

Pit size variation

Laboratory research on M. carolinus indicates that unfed larvae construct smaller pits than fed individuals. However, fed larvae prevented from prior pit-building do not immediately construct larger pits than unfed larvae with similar experience deficits. This suggests that pit construction skill, not just nutritional status, influences trap dimensions.

Substrate flexibility

An observation of M. carolinus (or a congeneric Myrmeleon ) in sawdust rather than sand indicates that ovipositing females may select loose substrates based on texture rather than mineral composition, and that larvae can successfully forage in non-sandy materials.