Dragonfly-like night insect -ID plse

woolumstick · #1 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 05:03 PM

This flew into the house we are staying at last week and I have never seen anything like it before.

It was slow and gentle flying like damoiselle dragonflies or daddylonglegs but it was shaped like a dragonfly but with bent antennae. Can't find anything to match description, can anyone help ID it for me please?

thanks

Tiggrx · #2 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 05:06 PM

It is an Antlion (Euroleon nostras). Nice find!

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 05:06 PM

Hi Woolumstick and welcome to WAB!

Or me! I take it this isn't in the UK?

EDIT: Wow, well done Tiggrx! I've heard of antlions - very unusual by all accounts!

ChrisJB · #4 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 05:13 PM

Nice one. I'd love to see one of these. I've heard the Suffolk coast is a decent area for them.

Regards, Chris

woolumstick · #5 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

It is an Antlion (Euroleon nostras). Nice find!

Thanks for that - still never heard of one. This is the only shot I got of it before it moved. We gently netted it and evicted the creature back into the night.

I LOVE insects and my camera! Such an enormous small world out there to discover

Have some more to post when I get home.

woolumstick · #6 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Hi Woolumstick and welcome to WAB!

Or me! I take it this isn't in the UK?

EDIT: Wow, well done Tiggrx! I've heard of antlions - very unusual by all accounts!

I am in St Brelades in Jersey Channel Islands at the moment, which is where we found it. It was lovely to see something so unusual.

Tiggrx · #7 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woolumstick

I am in St Brelades in Jersey Channel Islands at the moment, which is where we found it. It was lovely to see something so unusual.

I saw the pits which the larvae live in when in Jersey but wasn't lucky enough to see the actual larvae or adults.

aeshna5 · #8 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 05:19 PM

There's a large colony around the Minsmere area, where they've been present for some years.

Good find- I've not seen one myself in the UK. (I know Jersey isn't really UK!)

SCollins52 · #9 (**permalink**) 16-08-2010, 11:00 AM

I am currently doing a survey of the antlions on jersey. I havent yet seen an adult so I am very impressed you found one. Could you tell me the exact date you found this one.

It seems the antlion is much more widespread on the island than once thought.

Good find.

woolumstick · #10 (**permalink**) 25-08-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCollins52

I am currently doing a survey of the antlions on jersey. I havent yet seen an adult so I am very impressed you found one. Could you tell me the exact date you found this one.

It seems the antlion is much more widespread on the island than once thought.

Good find.

I found this in my Uncles kitchen but that's not going to help you. They live near the old railway track which is lined heavily with Scotch Pine trees. From Corbiere Lighthouse about 1 mile up the track. It was almost exactly one year ago today, so August 2009.

Hope that helps

Good luck in your study.