New to me!

[urbpan]

This came fluttering into my face at work yesterday.




It's an adult antlion if I'm not mistaken. (Am I mistaken, scientists?)



It calmed down when I gave it a stick to perch on.



Sorry I took so many pictures--all my life and I've never seen one before.



Apparently they're nocturnal, and on the right background they're pretty hard to see!

See this post for more on antlions.

Comments

Wa-shaw!

[g-weir.livejournal.com]

Hey I was at the fresh Pond reservoir last weekend and at the visitor station they had some photos of a large red-and-black wasp-like insect that the local ranger had encountered but was unable to identify. Sounds like he should be posting here.

Also, from 'fluttered in my face' to 'pinched between fingers for photos' speaks of some spectacular reflexes. Did you shout 'Wa-shaw! when you snatched the bug out of the air?

Re: Wa-shaw!

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

To be honest, it had a very weak moth-like flight. Plus I had the chopsticks Mr. Miyagi gave me.

Re: Wa-shaw!

[badnoodles.livejournal.com]

Most of the Megaloptera/Neuroptera (a very active classification war) are not terribly good fliers. They're the most primitive group of the holometabolous insects (the ones with pupae), and I don't think evolution has completely sorted out the wing situation yet.