🧚 Lacewings & Antlions

Long-horned Antlion

Distoleon tetragrammicus

About Long-horned Antlion

A large antlion with intricately patterned wings and long clubbed antennae. Unlike most antlions, the larvae do not build pit traps.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae hide just beneath the sand surface and lunge at passing prey rather than using pit traps.

How to Identify Long-horned Antlion

Long-horned Antlion (Distoleon tetragrammicus) belongs to the order Neuroptera, family Myrmeleontidae. Adults typically measure 30-40 mm body, 60-75 mm wingspan.

Long-horned Antlion Habitat

Long-horned Antlion is found in beaches & coastal habitats, particularly across Europe, North Africa. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.

Long-horned Antlion Diet and Feeding

Long-horned Antlion is a predatory species that actively hunts and feeds on other insects and small invertebrates. As a predator, it helps control populations of pest species and maintains ecological balance.

Where Is Long-horned Antlion Found?

Long-horned Antlion can be found in Europe, North Africa, where it inhabits beaches & coastal environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.

Distribution Map

Where Long-horned Antlion can be found

Is Long-horned Antlion Dangerous?

Long-horned Antlion is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk. Like most insects, it prefers to avoid human contact and will typically flee rather than confront a perceived threat.

Long-horned Antlion Role in Nature

Long-horned Antlion serves as a natural predator, helping to control populations of other insects. Predatory insects are valuable in both natural ecosystems and agriculture, where they reduce the numbers of pest species without the need for chemical pesticides.

Seasonal Activity

Jan
Feb
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Dec
Peak activity Moderate Low / dormant

Frequently Asked Questions About Long-horned Antlion

What does Long-horned Antlion look like?

The Long-horned Antlion typically measures 30-40 mm body, 60-75 mm wingspan.

Where is Long-horned Antlion found?

The Long-horned Antlion is found in Europe, North Africa and typically inhabits beaches & coastal environments.

What does Long-horned Antlion eat?

The Long-horned Antlion is a predator that hunts and feeds on other insects and small invertebrates.

Is Long-horned Antlion dangerous to humans?

The Long-horned Antlion is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk.

What is an interesting fact about Long-horned Antlion?

Its larvae hide just beneath the sand surface and lunge at passing prey rather than using pit traps.

Cite This Page

APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Long-horned Antlion (Distoleon tetragrammicus). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/long-horned-antlion

MLA:
"Long-horned Antlion." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/long-horned-antlion.