Doodlebug, doodlebug,
Come out of your hole
Your house is on fire,
And your children will burn.
Imagine a predator with a plump abdomen, large jaws and a yuge appetite. Donald Trump? Too obvious. In this case, the honor goes to nature’s real-life Star Wars representation: the antlion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAnkFVaKnec
Doodlebug, doodlebug
The antlion is a fascinating insect within the family Myrmeleontidae. Its family name is derived from the Greek words for ant (myrmex) and lion (leon). The creature derives its name from its larval stage’s diet, which consists primarily of — surprise! — ants, as well as other insects.
The nickname “doodlebug” comes from the random, spiraling trails the larva leaves in the sand as it meanders about, searching for a suitable location to build its trap. Those loops resemble doodles on a piece of paper.
Setting the trap
The antlion lives all around the world, mostly in dry, desert environments, such as those of the southwestern United States. Although the 600+ known species vary in terms of methods, morphology, and predation, the majority follow a similar pattern.
Patient and methodical, the antlion builds its trap by spiraling backwards, tossing sand over its head and out of the target area. As it circles inward, the pit grows deeper and deeper, reaching a depth of about 1.5 inches. The walls of the pit are steep and angled, with the sand remaining in place via the tensile strength of the granules. The larva burrows into the vertex and waits submerged at the bottom, jaws extended upward.
Springing the trap
When an unsuspecting insect stumbles into the pit, the 40-degree sloped wall gives way and the victim slides toward the bottom.
The antlion springs into action. It hurls loose sand over the head of its prey, creating an avalanche that knocks the insect back and prevents it from gaining a foothold as it attempts to escape. The repeated showers of sand drive it inexorably toward the antlion’s awaiting jaws. It may take a number of tosses to create enough avalanches so that the insect is finally within striking distance. When that finally happens, the antlion’s pincer-like jaws grasp the insect and drag it beneath the surface, where it is drained of its fluids.
When finished, the predator launches the carcass out of the pit, repairs the trap, and waits for its next meal.
Another species of insect takes a very similar approach to hunting its prey. Known as the wormlion, it looks like a typical worm, yet builds a conical trap and hunts insects in the same manner as the antlion. The two species are not related.
Out like a lamb
After pupation, the antlion emerges as a docile, four-winged adult that flutters off harmlessly. Most adults feed on nectar — a stark contrast from its previous larval stage — and live only for a few weeks, just long enough to mate. The females eventually lay their eggs in sandy soil and the cycle starts all over again.
The antlion poses no threat to humans or animals and maintains a symbiotic relationship by helping to control pests. Other than its fictionalized screen representation in Return of the Jedi, it otherwise bears little resemblance to Donald Trump. Notice that I didn’t say “none”.
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