Predation behavior of the Myrmeleon brasiliensis (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) larval instars

Abstract

Myrmeleon brasiliensis larvae are predators that use the sit-and-wait tactic to catch their prey, and to fulfill this pit-making funnel traps in the sandy soil and remain buried waiting for prey to slip. The objective of this study was to observe the predation behavior of larvae of M. brasiliensis in the three larval instars, for this leaf cut ant were collected manually and offered within the plastic pots as prey for 14 larvae of 1st instar larvae, 33 of 2nd and 3rd instar. It was counted the number of attacks of the predator to prey, the number of escapes from jail and the success of prey capture for each larva of M. brasiliensis. The larvae of M. brasiliensis 1st instar attacked more times its prey, followed by larvae of 2nd and 3rd instar. On the number of escape of prey, there was no significant difference in this behavior among larvae. Regarding the success in capturing prey, the larvae of 3rd instar were more successful, with a predation rate of 96.96%, followed by the larvae of 2nd (69.70%) and 1st instar (14.28 %).

Diversity of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Captured by Myrmeleon (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) Larvae in a Ecosystem of the Brazilian Cerrado Biome

“…The low frequency of antlion predation under natural conditions was associated with the presence of larvae at early stages of development. During this phase, larvae are not very efficient in capturing prey, which can lead to the starvation and, ultimately, death of many individuals [2].…”

“…In general, ants avoided Myrmeleon traps, and even when they fell into the pit, many managed to escape the attacks of larvae. The capture rates of antlion larvae are quite low under natural conditions [2,5]. Ants' ability to evade traps, known as avoidance behavior, is the main cause of low capture rates [8,43].…”

“…Larvae of the genus Myrmeleon Linnaeus (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), commonly known as antlions, are round shaped and have long, sickle-like jaws that assist in the absorption of body fluid from their prey [1,2]. The predation strategy of antlion larvae consists in the construction of funnel-like pits to capture prey [3][4][5].…”

Effect of rain on trap building by Myrmeleon brasiliensis in a riparian woodland from the Cerrado biome in Brazil

“…Antlion larvae (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) are well known for their highly specialized predation strategy, which consist of building funnel-like traps in the soil, where the larvae remain buried awaiting for a prey to fall into the trap. Therefore, the availability of dry sandy soil is essential to the foraging of these larvae (Missirian et al, 2006;Nonato & Lima, 2011). To minimize the destruction of the traps due to rain or other weather events, antlion larvae commonly build their traps under the shelter of vegetation, rocks, and fallen trees (Faria et al, 1994;Lima & Faria, 2007).…”