Crossword clues for antlion
Wiktionary
alt. Any of various nocturnal insects from the family Myrmeleontidae whose adults resemble damselfly and whose larvae bury themselves under a cone-shaped pit in sand to trap insects such as ants. n. Any of various nocturnal insects from the family Myrmeleontidae whose adults resemble damselfly and whose larvae bury themselves under a cone-shaped pit in sand to trap insects such as ants.
WordNet
n. the larva of an ant lion or of any of several other insects [syn: doodlebug, ant lion]
winged insect resembling a dragonfly; the larvae (doodlebugs) dig conical pits where they wait to catch e.g. ants [syn: ant lion, antlion fly]
Wikipedia
The antlions are a group of about 2,000 species of insect in the family Myrmeleontidae, known for the fiercely predatory habits of their larvae, which in many species dig pits to trap passing ants or other prey. The adult insects are less well known, as they mostly fly at dusk or after dark, and may be mistakenly identified as dragonflies or damselflies; they are sometimes known as antlion lacewings, and in North America, the larvae are sometimes referred to as doodlebugs because of the strange marks they leave in the sand.
Antlions are worldwide in distribution. The greatest diversity occurs in the tropics, but a few species are found in cold- temperate locations, one such being the European Euroleon nostras. They most commonly occur in dry and sandy habitats where the larvae can easily excavate their pits, but some larvae hide under debris or ambush their prey among leaf litter.
Antlions are poorly represented in the fossil record. Myrmeleontiformia is generally accepted to be a monophyletic group, and within the Myrmeleontoidea, the antlions' closest living relatives are thought to be the owlflies (Ascalaphidae). The predatory actions of the larvae have attracted attention throughout history, and antlions have been mentioned in literature since classical times.
Antlion is a name applied to a group of about 2,000 species of insects in the family Myrmeleontidae.
Antlion or Ant lion may also refer to:
- Myrmecoleon or ant-lion, a fantastical beast of ancient times
- Antlion (Half-Life), creature in the Half-Life video game series
- Ant lion (Dungeons & Dragons), creature in Dungeons & Dragons
Usage examples of "antlion".
Descriptions ranged from a pale-blue multitentacled squid-thing that waited in the snow for travelers the way an antlion ambushes its prey, to a ghoul with a legion of skeletal zombies at its beck and call.