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LION FROM THE SAND


LION FROM THE SAND
Photo Information
Copyright: Radomir Jaskula (cicindela) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1348 W: 0 N: 3030] (8938)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-06-12
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400, 35-105 mm 1:4,5-5,6, @ ISO 100
Exposure: f/5.5
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Insects around the world, Insects' World, Insect larvae, Insects (Insecta) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-06-24 15:48
Viewed: 2764
Points: 54
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hello dear Friends!
Today I would like to introduce another interesting predator from the insect world.

This is a larva of ant-lion Myrmeleon formicarius (Neuroptera: Myrmeleonidae).

And here some facts about this species and ant-lions in general:

Body size: as larva only about 5-8 mm, as the adults (which are very similar to some damselflies as for the first view) usually only 30-40 mm, except the biggest ones like Palpares libelluloides which is about 10cm long!

Habitat: sandy areas from lowland to moutains.

The name: the name ant-lion is given because of two reasons: the first is that these species as larvae are predators and the second because the main type of their prey are ants :>

Cousins: there are many different Neuroptera species in the world but here you can see some presented on TN: lacewings (thanks to photo thanks to CEDRYK), nomopteras, owflies (both pictures thanks to LITORACHLORIS), and mantidflies.

Hunting strategies: larvae are waiting in the sandy "craters" which can be up to 4-5 cm in diameter. The predator is waiting in the middle, and in the lowest part of the crater. When any small insect (usually an ant) is comming, the ant-lion is shooting to the prey using grains of sand. "Shooted" insect often is falling down just into open mandibles of predator. Really usually only ant-lions's mandibles are visible in the hole. As soon as prey will touch them, predator draws it under the san to eat it. And please look at this picture, there is no chance to escape from such huge mandibles...

But please believe me, even if this strategy is very unique in the insect world (I mean waiting in the sandy craters), ant-lions are not the only insect group using such kind of trap. Nature does not like a "monopoly" and there is also a family of... flies in which larve are hunting in very similar way! The name of these flies is Vermileonidae (do you see the similarity in both names? ;>). They are hunting for the ants too, and also in the sandy craters. But because they do not have mandibles like ant-lions have, larvae of these flies catch and kill ants as... boa snakes do!!! And probably because of that these larvae are often named "wormlions" :>

As always your comments and critiques are welcomed :>
Maite, peter_stoeckl, XOTAELE, eqshannon, horia, spalaxtr, Silvio2006, jcoowanitwong, LordPotty, ramthakur, Argus, kessi, Kaszek, delic, Jamesp, JORAPAVI, uleko, meyerd, Silke, cysorz, boreocypriensis has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To ramthakur: ant-lioncicindela 1 06-26 15:30
To uleko: import of ant-lions ;>cicindela 1 06-26 15:28
To peter_stoeckl: "wormlions"cicindela 1 06-24 17:18
To trinko: thank you! :>cicindela 1 06-24 17:11
To Maite: "disgusting insects" :>cicindela 1 06-24 16:38
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1007 W: 64 N: 1266] (5195)
  • [2007-06-24 16:12]
  • [+]

WOW! What a terrific macro-shot of this terrible bug! I hate to find larvae in the sand when I'm in the beach! They are so disgusting!
You did a magnificent shot! I'm impressed.
Greetings
Maite

nice focus good setting nice DOF i'd incrase contrast just a bit to bring out the insect more.

Hi Radomir,
a fascinating creature that you have well presented here with finest details, well camouflaged in its crater trap.
Very instructive notes with equally fascinating stories. I did not know about these wormlion flies and their remarkable way of devouring their victims the boa way.
Thank you!
With best regards,
Peter

Hola Radomir.
Una interesante macro, con muy buenos detalles de este desconocido insecto.
Buenos detalles y estupenda nitidez.
Un saludo, JL.

What an introduction and your notes are so informational. I am sure your observant picture will be duly noted by those in the know..but other than that, as a photo, I see nothing lacking at all..Nice addition for a book on such subjects my friend.

Bob

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2194 W: 222 N: 4471] (15242)
  • [2007-06-24 23:44]

Hello my friend

Just dropping in for a quick "hello" :)
This is a very nice and educational post!
Excellent macro shot! I really the details especially around the head and mouth pieces.
The note is also very interesting and makes a good read.

I hope everything is ok with you. How were your summer student trips? I hope fun and fruitfull in terms of photography :)
I didn't get a chance to ask you, but did you get the last sets of photos i sent you?

Cheers and TFS
Horia

Hi Radomir,
This is the best ant-lion photo I ever seen. A Great macro it is. Sharpness, focus and details exrtaordinary. TFS. Mustafa

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2007-06-25 4:13]

Radomir, Very well shot under difficult circumstances. The macro shot is very very good. Ganesh

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1901 W: 36 N: 5581] (18522)
  • [2007-06-25 5:47]

Hi Radomir,
Both of us have posted animals in sandy places today. But yours is much more detailed and interesting. Immaculate sharpness and spot-on focus. I like your upper POV to portray its huge mandibles as well as its body features. The multi-coloured sand gravels presents a fine BG. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hi Radomir great macro with wonderful details, it's the first time that I see this larva, thanks, ciao Silvio

hi radomir; interesting insect this is; well captured and presented ,nice details and colours TFS well done
ridvan

Hi Radomir,
Great to see larva of ant-lion. Perfect camera settings and well seen image. Your note is very educative. TFS,
JC

Hello Radomir,
This is an excellent macro of the Ant-Lion with its jaws agape.
The photo is very sharp, and the textures and colours are superb.
An outstanding capture.
Very good work.
Steve

You mean this insect grows wings later to become an Ant Lion, Radomir? Amazing!
I happened to take pictures of an Ant Lion last year in India. Never could imagine it would be like this at larva stage.
In that respect, your picture is of immense value. It is a well captured shot and I am much impressed with this insect's rather large and curiously shaped antennae.
Well done and TFS.

beautiful capture.
Nice balance of colors
Great details
TFS
JM

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4079 W: 190 N: 12063] (37165)
  • [2007-06-25 12:54]

Hello Radomir,
Fine macro with impressive DOF considering the relatively low aperture. This species is rare in sweden and I have yet to see it in real life. Great shot showing the formidable mandibles as well as the size of the larva in relation to the sand grain 'missiles'. Very interesting note, making the whole an excellent contribution to TN.
Thanks for this and best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • kessi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 83 W: 5 N: 74] (221)
  • [2007-06-25 14:03]

Hi Radomir. Yet another interesting photo and note. This larva is wonderfully clear and stands out from the sand grains. The bristles and the claws are so defined that one can study them properly. Brilliant depth of field. Excellent. Regards, Irmgard

  • Great 
  • Kaszek Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 246 W: 58 N: 391] (1451)
  • [2007-06-25 16:14]

Witaj,
Jaki paskud ;)
Zawsze lubilem popatrzec jak poluja. Chociaz widzialem je tylko w jednym miejscu i daaaawno temu.
Udana fotka. Ostro, wyraznie.
Gratulacje!

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 449 W: 6 N: 310] (898)
  • [2007-06-25 17:41]

Interesting species you have introduced us, Radomir. Excellent macro with so much detail. The little stones are amazing. Regards,
Hakan

Impressionnant, beaux détails.Bravo
Marie

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1513 W: 9 N: 6007] (17866)
  • [2007-06-26 2:10]

Hi Radomir

A wonderful shot of this insect. The focus is great as is the pose - you have managed to show the insect to advantage.

James

Hola Radomir,
Excelente imagen de este curioso ejemplar, la nitidez y detalles son muy buenos, la nota muy completa, gracias por compartir estas rarezas, Saludos
José Ramón

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3179 W: 162 N: 1471] (4331)
  • [2007-06-26 8:30]
  • [+]

Hello Radomir,
I think we must import some of these for our garden that has loads of ants!! Excellent capture, sharp details and nice camouflage. I've never seen one of these although we have them in Sweden. I expect they disappear down a hole as soon as the ground vibrates.
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • meyerd Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 546 W: 68 N: 1768] (5618)
  • [2007-07-01 11:37]

Dear Radomir,
here you are really in your element, you expert of the predators living in the sand. And how you did it, it's a real marvel, all the sharpness and details despite thetone-in tone with the sand. Only suggestion, the picture might have a better effect (the animal more menacing!) when turned by 90 degrees. But of course then it might not fit on to everybody's screen. Extremely well done!
Best regards,
Dietrich

It really seems to be a terrible predator :)
Thanks for showing me things I have never heard of, that is TN my friend.
Lovely point of view and nice moment captured, thanks and regards.

Witaj, Radomirze!
Daaawno nie widziałem Mrówkolwa z bliska, może dlatego, że siedzi toto zagrzebane w piasku i tylko czasem nim "siknie" ku zachęceniu jakiejś mrówki. Piękna fotka, gratuluję!
Tadeusz

Hi Radek, this shot is better from that of mine:D Great clarity and all features are seen. Great notes too.
Many thanks for sharing this.
Greetings from Izmir:>,

Bayram
PS. I saw your e-mail and I will reply as soon as possible:D

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