ant-lion

An ant-lion waits at the bottom of its sandy pit.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Insect: "ant-lion" refers to any of various insects of the family Myrmeleontidae, whose larvae are known for digging conical pits in sandy soil to trap ants and other small insects.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The ant-lion larva waits at the bottom of its sandy pit for prey to fall in. (The insect's young stage hides in a trap.)
  • We observed an ant-lion digging its funnel-shaped hole in the garden. (The insect creates a conical pit for hunting.)

Advanced Usage

• "ant-lion pit": the conical trap dug by the ant-lion larva.

  • The ant-lion pit is a clever ambush for small insects. (The trap is a hunting method.)

• "ant-lion fly": the adult form of the ant-lion, which resembles a dragonfly.

  • The ant-lion fly has delicate wings and is harmless to humans. (The adult stage has different characteristics.)

Variants and Related Words

• Antlion (n): an alternative spelling without the hyphen.

  • The antlion's life cycle includes a larval stage that builds pits. (Same meaning, with a different spelling.)

• Myrmeleontidae (n): the scientific family name for ant-lions.

  • Myrmeleontidae is a family of insects in the order Neuroptera. (The biological classification.)

Synonyms

• Doodlebug: a common name for the ant-lion larva in some regions.

  • Children often call the ant-lion larva a doodlebug. (An informal synonym.)

• Neuropteran: a broader term for insects of the order Neuroptera, which includes ant-lions.

  • The ant-lion is a type of neuropteran. (A taxonomic synonym.)

Related Idioms

• "Like an ant-lion in its pit": describing someone who is lying in wait or setting a trap.
  • He sat quietly like an ant-lion in its pit, waiting for a mistake. (He was patient and predatory.)