Delta Journal
by Bob Thomas

Who among us (at least in certain age cohorts) did not grow up finding a little funnel-shaped dimple in the sand, picking up a twig, gently stirring it around in the dimple, and chanting: “Doodle bug, doodle bug, come up to see me; your house is on fire, your children may burn; doodle bug, doodle bug, come up to see me”?

The result was usually to find a small funny looking beast buried in the sand that resembles a tiny turtle-like critter with two large extended jaws. This “doodle bug” is a larval antlion, an insect and member of the lacewing group – Order Neuroptera.

The dimple in the sand is created by the antlion larva burrowing about on the surface, forming squiggly furrows, thus the name doodle bug. It burrows about in the loose sand and sits buried at the very bottom of the vortex. If an ant or other very small insect walks by, it is likely to begin slipping on quaking sand particles and falls into the abyss. When the larval antlion senses the presence of prey, it begins to pitch sand grains toward the falling prey, thus aiding the plunge. The idea is for the ant to fall into the jaws of the hungry larva.

It must work. Where ever you find dry, fine, friable sand, you usually find an abundance of antlion pits.

Just scoop your hand under the pit and flip sand away with your finger. You’ll be rewarded by seeing this devilish little critter trying its best to disappear in your palm.

Adult antlions resemble dragonflies and damselflies (both members of the insect order Odonata), but antlions differ in having club-tipped antennae and very finely veined wings. Antlions typically fly about in the evenings, while odonates are busy during the day. Most odenates are speedy fliers and rapidly flap their wings; adult antlions normally fly about and flap their wings rather slowly.