Pit volume and prey catching efficiency in antlions as related to lion size and pit steepness.

Abstract

Antlions, the larval form of lacewings, dig conical pits into which prey fall. The prey encounter the massive mandibles of the antlions below, only to have their intestinal juices sucked out and their carcasses spewn onto the surrounding sand. If the prey attempt to escape, the antlion throws sand from the bottom of the pit onto the sides, creating an avalanche of sand which brings down the prey. This study attempts to investigate the relationship of antlion size vs. pit size, antlion size vs. prey catching efficiency, and pit steepness vs. prey-catching efficiency. We hypothesize that antlion size is positively related to pit size and prey-catching efficiency; we also hypothesize that pit steepness is positively related to prey catching efficiency. If so, then the largest antlions will dig the largest pits and will catch the most prey. Also, the steeper pits will allow for greater prey catching efficiency.