| Photo Information |
Copyright: Mehmet Karababa (caspian)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 119 W: 0 N: 101]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (339) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2009-07-19 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Exposure: f/5.0, 1/640 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2009-08-18 13:06 |
| Viewed: 311 |
| Points: 12 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Palpares libelluloides (Antlion) [in Turk. Karınca Aslanı]
The adult ant lion might easily be mistaken for a dragon-fly. Its gauzy, brown-blotched wings and similar-shaped body give it a considerable resemblance. The short, clubbed antennae, however, readily distinguish it. The fly itself is of little interest, but in its larval stage it is one of the most remarkable insects known, and has been a source of interest to entomologists for the past two centuries. It commences life from an egg deposited on the sand by the parent insect during her evening flight. When the larva is hatched, it immediately begins to construct a little pit in the sand, at the bottom of which it hides. Later on, we are better able to understand the true nature of this hiding-place.
The full-grown larva is a somewhat weird animal. It is about half an inch in length, with a body broadly oval in shape, and beneath it are six diminutive legs ill adapted for walking purposes; indeed, it can only shuffle along, and, strange to relate, its shuffle is always in a backward direction. Its head is very conspicuous on account of its formidable jaws, or mandibles, these organs serving to capture and hold its prey, also to suck its juices; for it is devoid of a mouth, properly speaking. It has six eyes on each side of its head. The prey that this curious grub seeks is small active creatures, such as ants, spiders, centipedes, wood-lice, etc. It demands living quarry, and lays out its plans accordingly for their capture.
Taking all things into consideration, the grub has many natural
disadvantages to contend with. Ants, which constitute its chief prey, are extremely active, and, in open chase, the ant-lion's success is hopeless. Then, the grim aspect of its huge mandibles does not inspire confidence even in inquisitive ants, but the wily grub overcomes all its natural shortcomings. It is the larva that is properly called "ant-lion", for the insect in its winged state does not prey upon ants. ("Doodlebug" is another name for antlions.) (from John J. Ward F.E.S.) |
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