myrmeleon

Myrmeleon is a genus of insects belonging to the order Neuroptera, commonly known as lacewings. Within this order, Myrmeleon belongs to the family Myrmeleontidae, which are often referred to as antlions. The most distinctive characteristic of the larval stage of many Myrmeleon species is their habit of excavating conical pits in dry, sandy soil. They lie in wait at the bottom of these pits, often buried beneath the sand, with only their powerful jaws exposed. When small insects, such as ants, stumble and slide down the sandy slope of the pit, the larva seizes them with its elongated, sickle-shaped mandibles.

The adult Myrmeleon insects resemble damselflies or dragonflies but are generally more slender and have longer, clubbed antennae. Their wings are typically long and narrow with a dense network of veins. Adults are predatory and feed on various insects, often flying at dusk or during the night. The life cycle involves egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. The larvae are terrestrial predators, while the adults are aerial predators. The genus Myrmeleon is widespread and found in various regions around the world, particularly in warmer climates. While the term "antlion" is most famously associated with the pit-digging larvae, not all species within the Myrmeleonidae family construct these traps.