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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Antlions, Lacewings and Allies (Neuroptera) » Antlions (Myrmeleontidae) » Dendroleon » Dendroleon obsoletus
Photo#25119
Upshur County Antlion - Dendroleon obsoletus
Copyright © 2005 Stephen Cresswell

Upshur County Antlion - Dendroleon obsoletus
Near Ruraldale, Upshur County, West Virginia, USA
July 20, 2005
About a week ago my wife and I saw Antlion pits about fifteen miles from our house. I said "Eighteen years we've lived in Upshur County and this is the first time I've seen Antlion pits here." I have seen them often in Mississippi, Virginia, and Kentucky.

And now a week later comes the first adult Antlion we've seen in Upshur County, or in West Virginia for that matter. I believe this is Dendroleon obsoletus.
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Contributed by Stephen Cresswell on 22 July, 2005 - 7:04am
Last updated 31 December, 2005 - 9:48am

#25119 Identification (confirmed) -- Dendroleon obsoletus
Yes, this is the antlion Dendroleon obsoletus (Say, 1839).
… John D. Oswald, 18 August, 2006 - 3:16pm login or register to post comments

Spectacular!
One of my favorite insects, too. Your species ID is correct. This is one of the few truly distinctive ant lion species.
… Eric R. Eaton, 22 July, 2005 - 12:29pm login or register to post comments

 
Antlion pits
The identification is correct. It is Dendroleon obsoletus. However, these antlions don't form pits. As larvae they live in tree holes. In North America the only antlion larvae that form pits are in the genus Myrmeleon.
… Norman Penny, 15 September, 2005 - 10:43am login or register to post comments

 
Thanks
Wow, fascinating! Thanks very much.

--Stephen

Stephen Cresswell
Buckhannon, WV
www.stephencresswell.com
… Stephen Cresswell, 16 September, 2005 - 4:36am login or register to post comments

 
Moved to guide
I'll move this to the guide for Dendroleon obsoletus.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina
… Cotinis, 31 December, 2005 - 9:47am login or register to post comments

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