These Insects Are the Pits!

By Wendy Lanier

This summer, while you’re out running around, keep an eye out for peculiar inverted cones in loose soil like these.

They are often found near anthills. Sometimes the anthills look very similar, but ant mounds are above the ground like this.

These strange looking indentions are not the work of aliens. They are traps set by the  larval stage of an insect known as an antlion.  Antlion pits are designed to catch ants  and other unsuspecting insects that fall into them. Once the insect victim falls into the  trap, the antlion seizes it with its long mandibles. After a brief struggle the antlion pulls  the victim under the soil to suck out all its body fluids. The empty carcass is then flicked  out of the pit.

 

The antlion’s life cycle is similar to a butterfly (egg, larva, pupa, adult). The antlion, however, can live in the larval stage for up to three years. The adult antlion is a winged insect about 1.5 inches (4cm) long with long transparent wings.  Antlions are harmless and usually considered beneficial since they feed on ants and other insect pests.

To read more about antlions and their life cycle go to: http://www.antlionpit.com/history.html

To watch a video of an antlion in action go to:

 

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

 

Wendy Lanier is a former elementary teacher whose writing credits include titles for KidHaven Press, Lucent Books, Capstone Press, and contributions to such publications as Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse, CBN.com, MOPS.org and The Amazing Bible Factbook for Kids (a publication of Time Inc. Home Entertainment and the Livingstone Corp.). Her educational background includes a B.S. in Speech Communication Disorders and a M.Ed. in Elementary Education with over 18 years experience in Texas public and private schools. She has taught in both regular and gifted/talented classrooms (grades 3, 4, 6, and 7), specializing in the areas of science, social studies, and language arts. Wendy’s author presentations are fast paced, memorable events filled with laughter and learning.

www.wendylanier.com