Circle Of Life

From larval stage to adulthood, Antlions are unique specimens exhibiting a distinct pattern of life that is yet to be studied thoroughly

- Arjit Jere

A part from Insecta being the most widespread animal class in the world, insects also show a plethora of structural and behavioural variations that are worth studying. Insects are classified into various orders like Hymenoptera (bees and ants), Lepidoptera (butterflies), Hemiptera (bugs) and the one whose members are the focus of this article – Neuroptera. Neuroptera consists of nerve-winged insects in the adult stage such as antlions. Hailing from the Neuroptera family Myrmeleontidae, whose members are found across tropical and subtropical regions with bare soil, antlion larvae are carnivorous and usually reside in soil. Neuropteran adults are vastly different, living near glass blades and capable of flight.

Some antlion larvae (<10% of Myrmeleontidae) dig conical pits in the soil and wait for their prey to fall in it, using sit-and-wait as a predation strategy. Other species such as Neuroleon Navas, Bankisus Navas are ambush predators – hiding in leaf litter or soil cover – that pursue prey. Few other species such as the Dendroleon Brauer live and catch insects inside tree holes. This is a striking instance of behavioural dive rsity in the same family. However, morphological characters that unify all larval antlions are a flat body tapering at both ends, strong mandibles, and hairy setae covering the body. One character unique to antlions amongst insects is the lack of both anus and teeth.