Long-horned Antlion vs Antlion
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Long-horned Antlion | Antlion |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Distoleon tetragrammicus | Myrmeleon formicarius |
| Order | Neuroptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Myrmeleontidae | Myrmeleontidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm body, 60-75 mm wingspan | 30-35 mm body (adult) |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa | Europe, Asia, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Long-horned Antlion
A large antlion with intricately patterned wings and long clubbed antennae. Unlike most antlions, the larvae do not build pit traps.
Did You Know?
Its larvae hide just beneath the sand surface and lunge at passing prey rather than using pit traps.
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.