Main content

Antlion ambush

Minsmere is full of surprises. Unitl recently it was the only place in the UK where you could find antlions. Buried in the sand are antlion pits and each is a trap for unsuspecting insects. The antlion itself is buried in the sand, with its mandibles just exposed. An earwig, a fly and a woodlouse fall victim to the antlions. If the prey tries to escape the antlion throws up sand to try and dislodge it into the waiting jaws. The sides of the pit are too steep to climb out, and once caught in those mandibles there's no escape.

Release date:

Duration:

1 minute