What does antlion mean?
An antlion is a predatory insect belonging to the family Myrmeleontidae, best known for its remarkable larval stage. The larva excavates a steep-sided, funnel-shaped pit in loose sand or dust and buries itself at the bottom, waiting for ants or other small insects to lose their footing and slide down into its waiting jaws. It may even flick grains of sand at prey struggling up the walls to hasten their descent. Because of this behavior, the larvae are called doodlebugs in some regions, particularly the southern United States. Adult antlions are slender, short-lived insects resembling damselflies, and they feed little or not at all. The name combines 'ant' with 'lion,' a translation of ancient terms such as the Greek-derived formicaleo, reflecting the creature's ferocity toward its tiny prey. Antlions fascinate naturalists and children alike, making them a popular subject of backyard observation.
nounA predatory insect whose larva digs a conical pit in sandy soil to trap ants and other small prey; the adult resembles a damselfly.
- The larva of any of various neuropteran insects of the family Myrmeleontidae, which digs a conical sand pit to trap ants and other small insects.
- Any insect of the family Myrmeleontidae, including the adult forms, which resemble damselflies.
"The antlion larva waits at the bottom of its sand pit for an unwary ant to tumble in."
"Children crouched around the antlion's funnel-shaped pit, watching it flick sand at a struggling ant."
"At dusk, the delicate adult antlion emerged from the sand where it had spent years as a larva."
Standard regular plural.
"Several antlions had dug their pits along the sheltered edge of the porch."
The antlion's larva is a living booby trap — it digs a perfect cone of sand and flicks grains at escaping victims to drag them down to their doom.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of antlion
The English word 'antlion' dates from the early modern period and is a direct compound of 'ant' and 'lion,' calquing classical names for the creature such as Latin formicaleo ('ant-lion'), which itself translates Greek sources. The 'lion' element reflects the larva's voracious hunting of ants rather than any resemblance to the mammal. The same 'lion' root appears in words like 'leonine,' 'dandelion' (from dent de lion, 'lion's tooth'), and 'chameleon' (from Greek khamaileon, 'ground lion').
How antlion is actually used
The word is used chiefly in entomological and naturalist contexts and is neutral in register. In parts of the United States, especially the South, the larva is more commonly called a 'doodlebug.' The name refers primarily to the larva, though it can apply to the whole family of insects.
Easily confused with antlion
An anthelion is a rare optical halo appearing opposite the sun, whereas an antlion is a predatory insect.