"ant" help

[Timmy]

My friend keeps talking about independent ant looking things (actually some other type of insect he later says) but looks like a fat ant about the size of half of your pinkie fingernail. He says this type of bug digs some type of trap (he compares it to the starwars sand monster sand whirlpool thing) in which the "ant" will hide at the bottom and scarf up the poor bug that falls down. Anyone have the slightest idea? 'Cause it sounds like a good Christmas present.


Thanks
Tim

 

[ftorres]

antlion

Hello,
Antlion???
There is a farm in Florida I think, that sells them as pets.
regards
FT

 

[nepenthes]

Yes... sounds like an ant lion.

I was interested in them, but they are great when you're younger. Interesting life style I think, other wise just specialized predators to any thing that walks along the ground small enough to fit into its mandibles. If you want try diging it up, with a spoon a good 2-3 inches deeper than the hole should be safe, and you can see the little larvae (I think thats what they are at least, I'm not good with terms at all).

Do a quick Google search lots of neat sources on them.