Which characteristic describes Myrmeleontidae larvae?

Study for the Science Olympiad Entomology Exam. Dive into entomology with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question comes with hints and explanations to help you ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which characteristic describes Myrmeleontidae larvae?

Explanation:
Myrmeleontidae larvae are ambush predators that prey on small arthropods, especially ants. They usually hide in loose soil or sand and often dig vertical or conical pits; insects wandering by fall in and are captured for food. This feeding behavior directly matches the description of being predacious on ants and other small insects, so it’s the best fit. They do not feed on decaying wood, pollen, or fungi—habits that belong to different insect groups or life stages—so those options don’t describe antlion larvae.

Myrmeleontidae larvae are ambush predators that prey on small arthropods, especially ants. They usually hide in loose soil or sand and often dig vertical or conical pits; insects wandering by fall in and are captured for food. This feeding behavior directly matches the description of being predacious on ants and other small insects, so it’s the best fit. They do not feed on decaying wood, pollen, or fungi—habits that belong to different insect groups or life stages—so those options don’t describe antlion larvae.

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