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Transvaal Museum index South Africa

GIANT ANT - LION

Antlions are amongst the most attractive insects and of interest to many people. Although antlions are best known for the pits produced by some antlion larvae, the adult is a spectacular flying insect, superficially resembling a dragonfly.

Larva

The easiest way to tell the difference between adult dragonflies and antlions is by looking at their antennae and eyes. Dragonflies have extremely small antennae and large eyes, while the antlion has clearly visible antennae and smaller eyes. The Order Neuroptera is one of the more primitive holometabolous (with complete metamorphosis) orders, in which the juvenile stage is very different to the adult, as is the case in Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera.

Palpares immensus the Giant Antlion is our largest and one of our most attractive antlions. The wingspan of this insect may exceed 127mm.

Giant Ant lion, Palpares immensus, Order Neuroptera (ADULT) A specimen in the Transvaal Museum collection.