Antlion

A lion-like organism that holds a sandy territory

Insect larva with a lion-like appearance that holds a sandy territory, creates a mortar-shaped nest, and preys on surface-walking arthropods.

Trivia

  • The name 'Antlion' comes from the way it captures prey in its trap, resembling ants falling into the flames of hell.
  • The digestive juices regurgitated by the larva are said to have 130 times the toxicity.
  • There is a record of surviving for more than 3 months without food or drink.
  • During the larval stage, it does not defecate or urinate, excreting all at once during pupation.
  • Adults have thin, transparent wings and resemble dragonflies but have different flight capabilities.

Alternate names

Antlion Pit Antlion Sareko Myrmeleon Larva

Tags

Insect Myrmeleontidae Larva Nest Building Sandy Ground Predation Moomin Nordic Organism Antlion

Profile

Species
Insect

Appearance

Overall appearance
Larva with powerful jaws resembling a lion, digs a mortar-shaped nest in sandy ground. Adults have slender, transparent wings.
Height
Larva size is about a few centimeters
Distinguishing features
  • Large jaws
  • Mortar-shaped nest
  • Body color that hides in sand
  • Predator of surface-walking arthropods
Iconic items
  • Nest (mortar-shaped trap)

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Patient
Detailed personality
Can endure without eating for long periods and is a strategic predator that ambushes prey.
Keywords
  • Patient
  • Ambush Predator
  • Cunning
  • Diligent
  • Subterranean Life
Talents
  • Ability to make traps in sand
  • Prey luring
  • Decomposition by digestive juices
Skills
  • Mortar-shaped nest building
  • Capture with large jaws
  • Luring prey into traps by throwing sand
Motivation
To effectively capture prey in order to survive
Habits
Can only move backwards, but in early larval stage moves forward to catch food itself.
Favorite foods
Ants, Caterpillars, Pill bugs, Small arthropods
Favorite places
Loose sandy ground, Places sheltered from wind and rain such as under eaves
Disliked weather
Rain, High humidity environments

History

Backstory
Larva of insects belonging to the Myrmeleontidae family. Digs a mortar-shaped nest in sandy ground and preys on fallen surface-walking arthropods. Has the ability to decompose and suck juice from prey using digestive fluids. Adults resemble dragonflies in appearance, fly, and live for 2-3 weeks after emergence.
Work title
Moomin

Discovery of Urination Behavior

Significant event
Discovery of Urination Behavior
Description
It was long thought that they pupate without defecating or urinating, but in 2010, it was confirmed by an elementary school student's discovery that they do urinate.

Popularization of Rearing Research

Significant event
Popularization of Rearing Research
Description
Proper sand conditions and feeding methods for rearing have become widely known, making it popular as an observation subject.

Larva Trap Formation

Significant event
Larva Trap Formation
Description
The larva's formation of a mortar-shaped nest and capture of prey is famous.

Media appearances

Moomin

Voice cast and creators

Tove Jansson (Moomin creator)

Creator name
Tove Jansson (Moomin creator)
Role
Original author

Related goods