Antlions Trivia Quiz

Answer: Neuroptera

Neuropterans are a group of around 6,000 different types of insect which share the feature of having netlike wings. The order includes alderflies, dobsonflies, snakeflies, lacewings, mantidflies, owlflies, and ant lions. In addition to having four lacy wings, they all have chewing mouths with strong mandibles, and undergo complete metamorphosis. Larval and adult forms are strikingly different in appearance.

Most European languages use a variation of the words for ant and lion for these insects, although the etymological reason for the name is obscure. The ant part refers to one of the favorite prey of the larval antlion; the lion may refer to their hunting prowess.

Lepidoptera is the order for butterflies and moths, whose wings are described as scaly, rather than lacy.

Answer: Antlions have longer antennae

None of the incorrect options describes a consistent difference between the two groups. Dragonflies have very short, stubby antennae, while antlions have visibly lengthy ones - often as long as the insect's head and thorax combined. The pattern of veins in the wings is also different, but that takes a lot more careful inspection! Most damselflies are diurnal (active during the day), while most antlions are nocturnal. Antlions also tend to be weak fliers when compared to damselflies and dragonflies.

The antlion pictured has its wings resting flat, while more damselfly species fold them up parallel to the body, but so do some antlions.

Answer: over 90%

The larval stage lasts until enough mass has been accumulated for pupation. Depending on the environmental conditions, this can take between one and three years. Pupation takes about a month. The adult lives for between 25 and 45 days. So taking the minimum time for the larval stage and the maximum for the adult stage, we get a figure of about 11% for the time as an adult.

This is an extreme - the average will be significantly less. It's no wonder that they are better known for their very visible larvae than their adults!

Answer: Doodlebug

This picture shows that trail left as a larval antlion moved from one spot to another (click on the photo for a clearer look). They prefer to establish themselves in loose soil or sand, which helps them set up the traps they use to catch their prey. This loose structure helps them detect vibrations from approaching prey, such as ants, spiders or other small invertebrates.

It also means they leave tracks as they move in search of the ideal location.

Answer: Traps for prey

Antlions bury themselves in the sand, with only their jaws free to grab their prey. Many, but not all, antlion species do this by digging a pit, to lure their prey. For species that use pits, the shape and size of the pit is an indicator of the larva's hunger - a steep pit with the angle just on the verge of having the sand start to slide is an incredibly efficient trap for small visitors, who quickly find themselves sliding to their doom.

But a shallow one also works, if you're not that intense on gathering a good meal. Should a trapped prey try to climb back up, the antlion scoops up sand from the bottom of the pit and throws it up at them.

Not only does this possibly impede them if they are hit, but the removal of sand from the bottom also makes the sides of the pit tend to slide downwards.

Answer: Six

Since antlions are insects, you would expect them to have six legs, as they do. This picture shows the legs extending from the thorax, with one pair pointing forward and surrounding the head. The adult also has six legs, as expected. The body shape of the antlion larva is described as fusiform, from Latin words meaning spindle shaped.

This describes a shape like that produced when yarn is spun onto a spindle - bulging in the middle, tapering towards the ends of the axis.

Answer: Yes

Yes, but don't get too worried - they are more likely to curl up in your hand than to attack you. When an antlion has trapped its prey, its impressive jaws (the two curved projections from its head) go into action, piercing the prey and injecting venom to incapacitate it and enzymes to start the process of dissolving its body.

A few minutes later it can start sucking out the body contents.

Answer: Detect pheromones

Antlion larvae do not have eyes, so they cannot see, but they do have very sensitive detectors for vibrations and chemical emanations. It is not surprising that the larvae don't fly, but it is noteworthy that they have no anus, so cannot excrete the waste products of the food they consume. It accumulates as a resource to use for creating the silk they need for metamorphosis. Any that is not used for this purpose is excreted by the adult after it emerges from the cocoon.

Another interesting feature of antlion larvae is that they can only move backwards.

Answer: False

In some species, the adults feed on nectar and pollen; in others, they are predatory on small arthropods (insects, spiders, etc.) as was the case for the larval form. But they do eat!

Answer: Base of the rear wing

There is little sexual dimorphism in adult antlions - you need to look closely, and one of the spots to check out is the base of the rear wing. Males (of most species) have a structure called a pilula axillaris, a unique knobby, bristly structure located at the base of the rear wings.

The antennae, thorax and eyes are the same for both genders, but there are often some differences in the abdomen. To see this, you need one of each from the same species for comparison. The male abdomen may be somewhat longer, with an extra lobe.