ANTLIONS

H

hardshell

Mecynorrhina
im planning to buy some as soon as i earn enough money for it... i have 4 dollars so far lol

so anyone know what adults eat? and care for adult lions?

thanks

 
i believe when they are adults they don't eat,i may not be 100% on this. but ofcourse the larva eat any little insect that falls down into their pit.

 
I can send you some for free, they are all around my house, I just need to check tomorrow during the day. I don't know of its the season.

I also don't know what species it is.

 
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Seems that adults prefer small flying insects as I've occasionally come across specimens holding small insects in their mouth.

 
Some antion adults feed on soft bodied insects (for example moths, small flies, aphids), while others feed on pollen. It seems like there are many species who do not feed at all at this stage.
The larvae will prey on any insect (and arachnid) that they can take over. Surprisingly, ants prove to be a poor food item for them in captivity (you need many ants daily to maintain a healthy diet), but other soft bodied insects work just fine - small crickets, silverfish, baby roaches, caterpillars. Beetles adults and larvae are not good.

It is also important to know exactly which Neuropteran family you have. Antlions (Myrmeleontidae) and Owlflies (Ascalaphidae) prefer the above, while lacewings (Chrysopidae) prefer to feed primarily on aphids. Mantisflies are cool looking but have a complex biology unfortunately (larvae feed on spider eggs).

 
Knowing what species it is is definitely the most important. Where you are finding the larvae (ex. ground, leaf litter, tree) will help you at least determine what family you have.

 
Hardshell,

I just checked outside and I couldn't find one antlion, when the season comes I can send you some larvae free, just pay the shipping cost.

 
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