Antlion species

About the Antlion species:

• These two new antlion species belong to Myrmeleontidae family of the order Neuroptera.
• Antlions are commonly known for their pit-building habit.
• Larval stages of only some antlion genera construct the conical pits in loose, dry soil as their predation strategy.
• Larvae of Nemoleon do not build pits and live under the surface in loose soils where they are protected from direct sunlight, wind, and rain.
• Antlions can be easily distinguished by their long, distinct antennae.
• The genus Nemoleon is reported for the first time from the Oriental region.
• This is the 5th and 6th antlion species reported from Kerala and the 125th and 126th species from India.
• These are found throughout the world, primarily in dry, sandy regions.
• The research was conducted with financial assistance from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).