Have you ever heard of a "doodlebug"? Well, you're looking at one right up above! It is actually an insect called an antlion. The antlion gets its name because it is a voracious predator of ants and other insects. Actually, it's only the antlion larvae that is a predator. They capture ants and other crawling insects which accidentally fall into their circular pits. These pits are usually 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter and about the same depth. The antlion larva, or doodlebug, waits at the bottom for an ant or other insect to slip on the loose sand and fall in. As soon as they do, the antlion has its next meal. In the process of making their pits, antlion larvae create spiral-shaped trails in the sand. These trails are why they get the nickname "doodlebug", because it looks like someone has been doodling in the sand! The pits are usually found in dry places like under shelter of farm buildings. Some species hide under bits of debris or wood and attack passing insects.
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