Banded Antlion vs Antlion
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Banded Antlion | Antlion |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Glenurus gratus | Myrmeleon formicarius |
| Order | Neuroptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Myrmeleontidae | Myrmeleontidae |
| Size | 55-80 mm wingspan | 30-35 mm body (adult) |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southeastern United States | Europe, Asia, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Banded Antlion
A North American antlion with distinctive banded wing patterns. Commonly attracted to porch lights on warm summer evenings.
Did You Know?
Unlike classic antlions, its larvae are ambush predators that hunt without constructing sand pits.
Antlion
Larvae build conical sand pit traps to catch ants and other small insects. The larva waits buried at the bottom and flicks sand at prey trying to escape up the slopes.
Did You Know?
Antlion larvae engineer their sand traps using physics — they build at the exact angle of repose so any disturbance causes an avalanche, sweeping prey to the bottom.