Antlion larvae build cone-shaped pits for prey capture. The function of these mechanically unstable structures depends on the physical properties of the sand (such as particle diameter) and its boundaries (such as sand depth and distance from obstacles). Therefore, it is of interest to determine if antlion larvae are capable of evaluating sand for appropriate physical characteristics when choosing a site for pit construction. We now have behavioral evidence that antlion larvae are capable of assessing both sand depth and particle size. When offered a range of sand depths, these insects showed a strong preference for building pits in deeper sand. They also showed preference for building in sand of a particular particle size range. The ultimate aim of this interdisciplinary research project is to identify mechanisms of substrate assessment available to and utilized by these insects.
Acknowledgments: Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation and the State of Kansas.
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA