Myrmeleon texanus
Banks, 1900
Myrmeleon texanus is a of in the , first described by Nathan Banks in 1900. As a member of the Myrmeleon, its construct characteristic conical in sandy soil to capture . The species occurs in North America and Middle America, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented compared to more widespread such as M. immaculatus.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Myrmeleon texanus: /mɪrˈmiːliən tɛkˈsænəs/
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Identification
can be distinguished from other by their pit-building —only Myrmeleon in North America construct conical traps. separated from by clubbed (damselflies have thread-like antennae). Specific identification of M. texanus adults requires examination of and ; the species lacks the conspicuous patterns seen in genera such as Glenurus.
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Habitat
inhabit fine, powdery soils or sandy substrates, often in dry, sheltered locations such as beneath rock overhangs, at the base of trees, under bridges, or in the dirt floors of old barns and sheds. The has been observed utilizing sawdust as a substrate for pit construction when available.
Distribution
Recorded from North America and Middle America. Specific locality records are sparse compared to widespread .
Diet
are obligate , feeding on and other small ground-dwelling that fall into their . have been observed to consume soft-bodied and pollen, though detailed feeding records for this are lacking.
Life Cycle
: laid in sandy soil; constructs pit and feeds; occurs within a silken spun underground and incorporating sand grains; emerges from cocoon.
Behavior
walk only backwards, rapidly burying themselves by shuffling rear-first into sand. When constructing pits, larvae move in reverse spirals while flicking sand with and the flattened top of the . Upon detecting , larvae flick additional sand onto victims to prevent escape. When disturbed, larvae remain motionless, relying on sand-covered bodies for . are cryptic, aligning their bodies with vegetation to become nearly invisible.
Ecological Role
function as sit-and-wait in sandy soil , potentially regulating of ground-dwelling . Their pit construction may also influence soil microtopography in localized areas.
Human Relevance
are frequently encountered by children and naturalists, serving as an accessible introduction to predatory . The "" derives from the winding trails larvae leave while searching for pit locations. occasionally attracted to outdoor lights.
Similar Taxa
- Myrmeleon immaculatusWidespread North with similar pit-building larval ; may occur sympatrically and require careful examination for separation.
- Scotoleon spp.North with free-living that do not construct pits; larvae hide under objects or roam beneath sand surface.
- Glenurus spp. with striking black, , and pink wingtip patterns in ; do not build pits.
More Details
Taxonomic Note
Myrmeleon texanus was described by Nathan Banks in 1900. The remains poorly known biologically, with most published information on pit-building derived from studies of M. immaculatus and other more accessible .
Substrate Flexibility
An observation of a Myrmeleon in sawdust (referenced in source material) suggests that females may oviposit in loose, substrates other than sand if texture is appropriate, though this specific record was not definitively identified to .