ant lion

or antlion

noun

1. any of several insects belonging to the family Myrmeleontidae, of the order Neuroptera, the larvae of which dig a pit in sand where they lie in wait to prey upon ants or other insects that lose their footing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ant lion¹

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

Some are very long, as those of most Lepidoptera; others very short, as that of the ant-lion (Myrmeleon).

From Project Gutenberg

These are the jaws of the ant-lion, lying in wait to gobble up the first passer-by.

From Project Gutenberg

In this room it lies quietly, sometimes all winter, until it changes into a grown-up ant-lion with four long, narrow wings.

From Project Gutenberg

The ant-lion, of course, was the larval form of a lace-wing fly.

From Project Gutenberg

But it is rather uncharitable even to the ant-lion, to say so much as this.

From Project Gutenberg