ant lion

or antlion

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noun

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.

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Origin of ant lion

First recorded in 1805–15

British Dictionary definitions for ant lion

antlion

/ (ˈæntˌlaɪən) /

noun

Also called: antlion fly any of various neuropterous insects of the family Myrmeleontidae, which typically resemble dragonflies and are most common in tropical regions

Also called (US): doodlebug the larva of this insect, which has very large jaws and buries itself in the sand to await its prey

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012