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Formicaleo story
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French] |
Formicaleo nostras (Linné) are Neuroptera insects, which in an adult state resemble dragonflies. These insects are especially known by their larvae which dig funnels which are frightening traps for the small insects like the ants. These funnels (fig. A) are generally dug in the sandy zones. Their presence is always related to the existence of a sufficiently fine and fluid substrate so that the larvae can dig their famous funnels there. The larva (fig.B) measures surroundings 1 cm. The head is relatively small, punt, and lengthened. It is equipped with very long mandibles and the ends bent in hooks are particularly sharp-edged. These mandibles at the same time make it possible to inject gastric juices, and to reabsorb the whole after liquefaction of fabrics of the victim. Once the latter literally emptied of any substance, the skin is rejected outside the funnel. The larval development requires of 2 years then the larva weaves a silky and spherical cocoon, order of small cm, while incorporating in it of the sand grains. This cocoon is generally elaborated a little below the bottom of the funnel. Classically the larva will give a nymph (fig.G), then an insect (fig.H) known as perfect ( here on the post, the bug is 3 days old), which will emerge during the summer. The laying is carried out with same sand and the blossoming of the young larvae takes place only next spring.
The figure D shows the open cocoon and the envelope or exuvie of the insect which remained stuck has the opening of the hole of exit. The figure E represents the exuvie which at was been extracted out of the cocoon, F the empty cocoon and G the nymph before the birth of the perfect insect or imago.
Text adapted by ddg according to the entomological pages of Andre Lequet. andré lequet: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/insectes.net/ . |
dew77, fiyo, red45, marhowie has marked this note useful
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- dew77
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(13209) - [2006-03-10 9:54]
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Nice to see you back Didier!
Wonderful captures and collage.All frames are crisp clear
and well composed.Excellent work!
TFS...:-)
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- fiyo
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 987 W: 5 N: 2762]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(10618) - [2006-03-11 5:23]
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Hello Didier,
Beautiful series presentation.Excellent panning work! TFS
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- red45
(30243)
- [2006-03-12 17:19]
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Bonjour Didier!
This is post I like most :-) VERY interesting presentation with very good note. Perfect reading illustrated by great serie of photos. In Polish this insect is called Mrowkolew which means Antlion.
Hello Didier,
A fine presentation with an excellent supporting, fact filled note. Very interesting and comprehensive, with the different life-cycle changes noted and shown very well mf. This is what TN is all about, you know, "Learning about nature through photography :) 10/10 - Very well done!
Dutch name is gevlekte mierenleeuw!
Nice story: very informative!
Harm
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 23 N: 942]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}