Antlion

by Lucas Garcia

Antlions are a group of insects in the family Myrmeleontidae.  They are known for their larvae’s predatory habits, with many species lying at the bottom of pits to trap their prey.  There are over 2000 species that live in a lot of diverse environments, from the tropics to places with cold temperatures, though most commonly in dry and sandy habitats.  Antlion larva have large abdomens and a thorax with three pairs of legs.  The prothorax acts as a neck for the large, flattened head.  Their sickle-like jaws nearly double the length of their heads, and the adults closely resemble dragonflies.  Antlions are commonly referenced in pop-culture, some examples including three Pokemon based on them, along with the Sarlacc in Star Wars behaving similarly to the larval stage as well.