Ant Lions - a "good" bug. |
Here's an interesting little critter. Have you ever seen small divots in the soil that sort of look like an upside down ant mound. In fact, just like this picture, you occassionally may see an ant in the center of the depression. The depressions are actually holes that are made by an ant lion larvae. It takes them about 15 minutes on average to excavate the soil into a little pit about 1 1/2" wide and about 1" deep.. The ant lion hides under a thin layer of dirt at the bottom and waits for an ant or other insect to fall into the pit. They grind the soil to a fine consistency that makes it difficult for an ant to crawl out. But it doesn't matter, because once the ant falls in it's usually just a matter of seconds and they are a nice meal for the ant lion. |
Most of the time ant lions will make several holes in the same area. |
This is an ant lion larvae. They are also commonly called "doodlebugs" because as they are making their holes it looks like someone doodling. |
And you thought they were ugly from the topside. Look at the underside. |
Click on pictures for a larger view. |
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