Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Beneficial Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
Grand antlion

Grand antlion

Palpares libelluloides

A species of Palpares

Palpares libelluloides has a relatively large wingspan of more than 10 centimetres (3.9 in). The very broad wings are mottled dark brown. The males can be recognized by their long, delicate genital appendages. The day-and night-active imagos can be observed from May to September. Their flight is usually short and close to the ground. The specific name libelluloides means "dragonfly-like" (cf the dragonfly genus Libellula).

General Info About Grand antlion
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Grand antlion
Colors
Black
White
Habitat
thicket; rocky slope
Adult Food Sources
Flying insects, small moths, flies, mayflies, small beetles
Larva Food Source
Small insects, ants, spiders, termites, other arthropods
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Grand antlion is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
The Grand antlion preys on common garden pests such as: aphids, whiteflies, thrips, spider mites, etc. It is a popular insect among gardeners.
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
The Grand antlion typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
Biting animal or pet
Yes
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Species Status of Grand antlion
It is found across Southern Europe. It is widespread in the Mediterranean regions.
Rectangle
Distribution Area of Grand antlion
Southern Europe
Rectangle
Life Cycle of Grand antlion
Egg The grand antlion starts as an egg, typically laid in clusters. The eggs are small, round, and often adhere to surfaces near suitable larvae habitat.
Larva Upon hatching, the larva, or 'antlion', is predatory, with large jaws to capture prey. It's wingless, with a robust, often hairy or spiny body, camouflaged to the environment.
Pupal After feeding and growing, the grand antlion enters the pupal stage enclosed in a spherical cocoon made of sand and silk, undergoing significant transformation within.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult grand antlion has elongated, net-veined wings and a slender body. Adults are mobile, with primary focus on reproduction and feeding.
Rectangle
Adult Size of Grand antlion
1.2 cm
Rectangle
Predators of Grand antlion Larvae
Ants, spiders, wasps, birds
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Grand antlion
Bats, birds, spiders, reptiles
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About Grand antlion
Despite its delicate appearance, grand antlion is a voracious predator, capturing prey with a unique jaw-snapping mechanism almost too fast for the human eye.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Grand antlion
Tips for Finding Grand antlion
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Grand antlion
Sandy and Arid Regions, Forests and Woodlands
Rectangle
Adult Habitat of Grand antlion
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Savannas
Rectangle
How Can You Attract Grand antlion
Grand antlion can be attracted using small insects as bait since they are insectivores.
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of Grand antlion Through Different Life Stages
The larvae of grand antlion thrive in dry and sandy terrain, eluding predators by burrowing funnel-shaped pits where they ambush prey. To find the larvae, one must search such loose soils, perhaps in arid regions or sandy pits. The adults, with a preference for openness and warmth, typically frequent areas near the larval habitat but are also found in grasslands, woodlands, or near lighting sources at night. Observing the adults would likely require visits to these habitats, particularly during evening hours when they are most active and likely to be encountered in flight or resting on vegetation.
Rectangle
When is the Best Time to Observe Grand antlion
The best time to find grand antlion is at dusk or during the night when they become active.
Rectangle
What is the Best Weather to Observe Grand antlion
Grand antlion prefers warm and dry climates, so looking for them during this type of weather may increase the chances of finding them.
Rectangle
How and Where Can You Find Grand antlion at Different Life Stages
Egg Grand antlion eggs are usually laid in secluded places, often in sandy soil. To find grand antlion at this stage, search for small, spherical eggs in protected areas near ant trails or under stones.
Larva Grand antlion larvae, also known as antlions, are known for their pit-building behavior in sandy areas. To find grand antlion larvae, search for cone-shaped pits in sandy soil, particularly in dry, sheltered locations.
Pupal Grand antlion pupae can be found in the soil, where they construct a cocoon. To locate grand antlion at this stage, look for small, spherical cocoons within the soil near previously spotted larval pits.
Adult Grand antlion adults are large, dragonfly-like insects that can often be found near areas with plenty of vegetation. In the evening, they may be attracted to artificial lights. Searching near light sources or using a light trap at night could help to locate adult grand antlion.
Are Grand antlion harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Beneficial Effects of Grand antlion
Discover the hidden benefits of insects
Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
Download the App for Free
Predators of Pests
Predators of Pests
Stage
Adults, Larvae
Purpose
Feed Itself
Diets
Ants, Beetles, Small Insects
Grand antlion employs a unique hunting strategy as a larva, creating a cone-shaped pit in sandy soil. This pit acts as a trap for ants, beetles, and other small insects, which slide down the steep slopes into the awaiting larva's deadly grasp. This predatory behavior not only serves their hunger but also controls the population of various pests.
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow