Family: Myrmeleontidae (antlions)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Ecdysozoa > Panarthropoda > Tritocerebra > Phylum: Arthopoda > Mandibulata > Atelocerata > Panhexapoda > Hexapoda > Insecta (insects) > Dicondyla > Pterygota > Metapterygota > Neoptera > Eumetabola > Holometabola > Neuropterida > Neuroptera

Palpares speciosus.

Antlion.

The larvae of a number of myrmeleontid genera build distinctive cone-shaped traps in sandy soil that are used to trap ground dwelling invertebrates, particularly ants. However, myrmeleontids such as Palpares do not build these traps and instead their larvae wait just under the sand for a passing invertebrate.

Publications

• van Zyl, A. and van der Linde, T.C. de K. 2000. Anatomy and histology of the alimentary canals of the antlion larvae Furgella intermedia Markl and Palpares annulatus Stitz (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), with reference to their feeding physiology. African Entomology 8: 179-188.