The Antlion larva, the 'doodlebug,' constructs a funnel-shaped pit trap in dry sand where it buries itself at the bottom waiting for ants to tumble in. When an ant slips down the steep walls, the antlion hurls sand grains to prevent escape and seizes prey with hollow sickle-like mandibles. The adult is a dragonfly-like insect with clubbed antennae that flies weakly at night.
Best time to see a Antlion
The best time to see a Antlion is June–August, when about 73% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,352 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Antlion? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Antlion sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted an Antlion?
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