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Photo#326202
Ant lion from California - Mexoleon papago

Ant lion from California - Mexoleon papago
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Alameda County, California, USA
August 27, 2009
Size: 3 cm
...which one? I'm fairly convinced this is myrmeleontid, and not a "skinny dobsonfly" like I had originally thought. Scotoleon, Myrmeleon, and Brachynemurus all seem like options.

Observed at night in a mixed chaparral / grassland area in Oakland, CA, USA, along with many others. ~2-3 cm total body size.

Images of this individual: tag all
Ant lion from California - Mexoleon papago Ant lion from California - Mexoleon papago

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#326202 Identification – Mexoleon papago
ID. Nice image. Better at larger size...

 
thanks!
Many thanks for the ID, John. Anything in particular I should be looking for when identifying ant lions like this?

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very nice
That's a great antlion shot! Sorry I can't help with ID.
The way it's holding its wings reminds me of the ebony jewelwing damselfly wing flutter/display. Wonder if this is a mating display of some kind.

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