Pit-trap
Guides
Brachynemurus californicus
Brachynemurus californicus is a species of antlion (family Myrmeleontidae) first described by Banks in 1895. As a member of the order Neuroptera, it shares the characteristic net-veined wings and complete metamorphosis typical of this group. The genus Brachynemurus contains species known for their distinctive adult morphology and predatory larval behavior. This species occurs in western North America, with records from California and surrounding regions.
Brachynemurus pulchellus
Brachynemurus pulchellus is a species of antlion in the family Myrmeleontidae, first described by Banks in 1911. The genus Brachynemurus belongs to the diverse neuropteran lineage of antlions, which are predatory insects known for their distinctive larval pit-trap construction behavior. As a member of this genus, it shares the elongated body form and relatively long, narrow wings typical of Brachynemurus species. The specific epithet 'pulchellus' (diminutive of 'pulcher', meaning beautiful) suggests this species was noted for its attractive appearance among its describers.
Myrmeleon
antlion, doodlebug
Myrmeleon is a cosmopolitan genus of antlions in the family Myrmeleontidae, distinguished by larvae that construct conical pitfall traps in sandy substrates. The larvae, commonly called doodlebugs, bury themselves at the bottom of these pits and use specialized mandibles to capture prey that falls in. Adults are delicate, lacy-winged insects resembling damselflies but with short, clubbed antennae. The genus is notable for being one of few antlion genera in North America that exhibits pit-building behavior, and it has been documented across multiple continents including North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Myrmeleon crudelis
antlion
Myrmeleon crudelis is a pit-building antlion species whose larvae construct conical traps in fine-grained soil to capture small arthropods. Research on this species has focused on its behavioral plasticity in trap construction and prey capture kinematics. Larvae demonstrate sophisticated modulation of mandible velocity during strikes and adjust pit architecture in response to prey availability and soil conditions. The species occurs in tropical dry forests of Costa Rica and has been recorded from Middle and North America.
Myrmeleon immaculatus
Doodlebug
Myrmeleon immaculatus is a pit-trapping antlion species in the family Myrmeleontidae. Adults are approximately 30 mm in length and typically blue-grey in color. The species is particularly common in the eastern United States, though its range extends across North America and into Central America. Like other members of the genus Myrmeleon, its larvae construct characteristic conical pits in sandy soil to capture prey.
Myrmeleon mexicanus
Myrmeleon mexicanus is an antlion species in the family Myrmeleontidae, described by Banks in 1903. The species occurs in Central America and North America. As with other antlions, it has a predatory larval stage that constructs pit traps in sandy soil to capture prey, and a winged adult stage that is primarily nocturnal.
Myrmeleontidae
Antlions, Antlion lacewings, Doodlebugs, Owlflies
Myrmeleontidae is a family of neuropteran insects comprising approximately 2,000 species, commonly known as antlions or antlion lacewings. The family is best known for the distinctive predatory behavior of its larvae, which in many species construct conical pit traps in sandy soil to capture prey. Adults are aerial insects with delicate, often patterned wings, and are frequently mistaken for dragonflies or damselflies. The family includes two traditional subfamilies: Myrmeleontinae (antlions) and Ascalaphinae (owlflies), though the latter is sometimes treated as a separate family. Antlions exhibit remarkable diversity in larval hunting strategies, with pit-digging behavior restricted to certain genera while others employ ambush or roaming predation.
Paranthaclisis hageni
Hagen's antlion
Paranthaclisis hageni is a species of antlion (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) originally described by Banks in 1899 as Acanthaclisis hageni. The species is native to North and Middle America, with documented presence in both regions. As a member of the antlion family, it shares the characteristic life history of having predatory larvae that construct pit traps in sandy substrates to capture prey, and aerial adults that are typically nocturnal and weak fliers.