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).
