Myrmeleon exitialis
Walker, 1853
antlion
Myrmeleon exitialis is a of in the . It is found in North America. As a member of the Myrmeleon, its construct the characteristic funnel-shaped in sandy soil to capture . are delicate, slender with lacy that superficially resemble but possess short, clubbed .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Myrmeleon exitialis: /mɪr.mɛˈleɪ.ɒn ɛkˈsɪ.ti.ˌæl.ɪs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
distinguished from by short, clubbed (damselflies have long, thread-like antennae). When at rest, adults align themselves flat against vegetation with folded, becoming nearly invisible due to disruptive wing patterning. identified by their pit-building —only Myrmeleon larvae in North America construct funnel-shaped traps; other bury themselves just below the surface without pits.
Images
Habitat
occur in fine, powdery soil or sawdust, particularly in perpetually dry situations: beneath rock overhangs, at the base of trees, under bridges, in dirt floors of old barns and sheds. Colonies often clustered in sheltered locations protected from rain. found among tall grasses, especially at dusk.
Distribution
North America. Documented from Colorado and other western states.
Seasonality
most frequently observed at dusk. Attracted to outdoor lights at night. Larval pits present year-round in suitable dry where substrate remains undisturbed.
Life Cycle
. constructs silken underground incorporating sand grains, in which it pupates. emerges from at later date. laid in sandy soil where they hatch into subterranean larvae.
Behavior
walk only backwards, rapidly. Dig pits by in reverse in a spiral, throwing sand with and flattened top of , then lie in wait beneath soil at pit bottom. Sense through vibrations; when detected, throw additional sand onto victim to hasten descent. Prey seized with hollow ; injected to paralyze and externally digest tissues, then liquified contents imbibed. Dry carcass catapulted from pit with violent head thrust. clumsily and demonstrate strong , aligning with substrate to become essentially invisible when at rest.
Ecological Role
Larval function as sit-and-wait of small ground-dwelling , particularly . Their represent a distinctive foraging strategy within sandy .
Human Relevance
known colloquially as "," possibly from the cursive trails they create when seeking new pit locations. Sometimes kept in captivity by providing containers of fine sand and feeding or other small . Can be induced to throw sand or grasp objects by tickling with grass blades or twigs.
Similar Taxa
- Damselflies (Zygoptera) superficially resemble in body form and posture, but distinguished by short, clubbed versus long, thread-like antennae in damselflies.
- Other antlion genera (e.g., Brachynemurus, Glenurus, Vella, Scotoleon)Only Myrmeleon construct funnel-shaped pits in North America; larvae of other bury themselves just below soil surface without constructing visible traps.
More Details
Pit size variation
Pit diameter ranges from dime-sized to larger than a quarter, depending on soil texture and slope rather than size. Steeper slopes generally produce larger pits.
Taxonomic note
Catalogue of Life lists this as a synonym, but GBIF and NCBI recognize it as accepted. Walker, 1853 is the original authority.