Lacewings and Ant-lions

Lovely to look at, but vicious to know

Lacewings and Ant-lions are predators, particularly in their larval stage. The better known ant-lion larvae live in dry sandy soils waiting for small invertebrates like ants to come by and fall into a depression and then into their massive grasping jaws. They are thus held whilst the ant-lion pierces their body with a tube, to then suck them dry. The world of insects can be a very grizzly place.

Other lacewing larvae tend to be more free moving, some patrolling the undersides of leaves in search of aphids and scale, whilst others live in rotting wood, disguising themselves with a covering of leaf/wood litter. Yet others live a semi-aquatic life on the edges of streams, feeding on aquatic invertebrates.

Both lacewing and ant-lions have wide Australian distribution, however the former are more common in the wetter eastern States, whilst the later are more common in the drier interior and western regions. As for species numbers, there are a lot of them. To give an idea, in the lacewing Order Neuroptera there are 6 superfamilies that are divided into 14 families, which in turn have a considerable number of genera and vastly more species. So yes, that little old ant-lion you once saw is only one of many species.

The well known ant-lion from the superfamily Myrmeleontoidea and the family Myrmeleontidae come in several guises, but basically they have big jaws and a body with maybe some legs for mobility. Around me is one that lives in the top couple of centimetres of sand, but instead of remaining stationary like most ant-lions, this one swims through the sand leaving snail-like trails.

To swim, it moves backwards through the sand and is propelled by a couple of paddle-like legs, one on each side of the body.

Although no threat to Olympic swimmers, it can disappear very quickly if exposed.

Ant-lion from the Myrmeleontidae family

The adults typically have four lacey wings comprised of interconnecting veins, the arrangement of which are distinctive to various groups and are an important aid to identification. The one below seems to be saying. Look at me! Look at me!

Another method to identify these insects is by their antennae, note with this species how short they are and thickened towards the tip. This places them in the family Myrmeleontidae, the Ant-lion group.

Ant-lion from the Myrmeleontidae family

The adult lacewings with their large eyes, reflect torch light and are therefore very easy to spot at night. So another reason to go spotlighting for invertebrates. You never know what you might find.

With so many Lacewing/Ant-lion species in Australia, I had to include another to illustrate some of the more obvious differences between them. Many will be familiar with the distinctively different green toned lacewings, or the bizarre mantid type with grasping limbs, but have a look at the one below. To an entomologist the differences are crystal-clear, but if you are like me, it takes a little study to see what they are.

Lacewing from the Nymphidae family

Did you spot the differences? For a start the wing reticulation is quite different, but most noticeable are the antennae, these are much longer than the Myrmeleontidae species above, plus they are not thickened at the tips. This places this lacewing into the family Nymphidae. Its larvae is probably one of those non-descript, big jawed insects that wander around on plants looking for small slow moving prey.

Before disturbing dry areas under eves or overhangs, check for inverted cone shaped depressions, as these are the places you will find your ant-lions, which in turn grow into the pretty lacewings. These are good predators by the way, and are helping to keep garden pests under control, so don't forget to leave a little habitat for them.