Glenurus snowii
Banks, 1907
Snow's Picture-winged Antlion
Glenurus snowii is a of antlion in the Myrmeleontidae. Like other members of its , are distinguished by striking black, white, and pink wingtips. The species occurs in North America and Middle America. Larval is presumed similar to other antlions, though specific details for this species are not well documented.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Glenurus snowii: //ɡləˈnjʊərəs ˈsnoʊˌiː//
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Identification
distinguished from other antlion by the bold black, white, and pink patterning on wingtips. Separated from damselflies and by short, clubbed (damselflies have long, thread-like antennae). Differs from other Glenurus by specific wing pattern details, though precise diagnostic features require examination. Larvae identified to genus by pit-digging (if observed) or , but species-level larval identification is not reliably documented.
Habitat
Larvae occur in dry, sandy soils. Prime situations include fine, powdery soil or sawdust around rotten logs, at the base of trees, beneath rock overhangs, under bridges, and dirt floors of old barns and sheds—situations that remain perpetually dry. frequent tall grasses and vegetation, and are attracted to lights at night.
Distribution
Recorded from North America and Middle America. Specific range boundaries within these regions are not precisely documented.
Seasonality
have been observed at lights at night, particularly at dusk. Seasonal activity patterns specific to this are not documented.
Life Cycle
Complete with , larva, pupa, and stages. Eggs laid in sandy soil. Larvae are subterranean . occurs in a sand-grain-reinforced silken cocoon underground. Adult follows.
Behavior
Larvae of the Myrmeleon (and likely Glenurus) dig conical pits by backwards in a spiral while flicking sand with jaws and the flattened . They lie in wait beneath the pit bottom, sensing vibrations and flicking additional sand to hasten prey descent. Larvae can only walk backwards. fly clumsily and exhibit strong cryptic —alighting on vegetation and aligning themselves to become essentially invisible.
Ecological Role
Larvae function as subterranean of small ground-dwelling arthropods such as ants and beetles. may consume soft-bodied insects and pollen, though feeding habits are largely unknown.
Human Relevance
Larvae are known colloquially as "doodlebugs." They can be maintained in captivity with a container of fine sand and periodic feeding of small . occasionally appear at window screens and porch lights, attracting attention due to their distinctive wing patterns.
Similar Taxa
- MyrmeleonBoth are antlion with pit-digging larvae, but Myrmeleon larvae construct the classic funnel-shaped pits while Glenurus and most other genera simply bury themselves just below the surface without forming pits. of Glenurus have distinctive black, white, and pink wingtips absent in Myrmeleon.
- VellaBoth are antlion with striking , but Vella are true giants with wingspans of 100-120 mm or more, whereas Glenurus species are smaller. Vella adults lack the black, white, and pink wingtip pattern of Glenurus.
- Damselflies (Zygoptera) antlions superficially resemble damselflies in their slender build and wing posture, but antlions have short, thick, clubbed versus the long, thread-like antennae of damselflies. Antlions also fly clumsily compared to the agile of damselflies.