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Glite Dictionary
Myrmeleontidae

Myrmeleontidae

9.9
A family of insects whose young dig cone-shaped pits to trap ants and small insects
  • noun
  • /ˌmɜr.məˈliː.ɒn.tɪ.di/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Myrmeleontidae
  • The Myrmeleontidae are best known for their pit-building larvae that prey on ants and other small insects.

Examples

  • Scientists study the behavior of Myrmeleontidae larvae to understand their unique hunting strategies.

  • The family Myrmeleontidae includes more than 2,000 species of antlions found worldwide.

  • The Myrmeleontidae family includes fascinating insects.

  • Look at that Myrmeleontidae larva waiting for its prey!

  • Researchers are fascinated by the Myrmeleontidae larvae that construct intricate pits to trap unsuspecting ants.

  • Many species of Myrmeleontidae are adept hunters, using their conical pits to catch small insects effectively.

  • Children observed the Myrmeleontidae larvae digging conical pits in the sand during their nature walk.

Synonyms

family Myrmeleontidae
vsMyrmeleontidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of insects called antlions with slender bodies and larvae that dig sand pits to catch ants

has identical meaning but adds the taxonomic order mention
antlion
vsMyrmeleontidae
9.3

A small insect whose larva digs sand pits to trap ants and whose adult looks like a dragonfly

refers to the whole group rather than one species
antlion fly
vsMyrmeleontidae
9.4

A winged insect like a dragonfly whose young dig small cone-shaped pits in sand to trap ants and other insects

refers to the broader group rather than a single common label

Compounds

family Myrmeleontidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of insects called antlions with slender bodies and larvae that dig sand pits to catch ants

Surface Forms

Myrmeleontidae singular
Myrmeleontidae plural

Morphology

Myrmeleontidae = Myrmeleon (opaque) = Myrmeleon + idae

The form is a regular taxonomic formation (genus name + '-idae') recognizable in biology, but the pattern and meaning are specialized and not familiar to general learners.

Etymology

Myrmeleontidae comes from the Greek parts myrmex ('ant') and leon ('lion'), so it literally means 'ant-lion'. That image helps you remember this insect family: their young dig small cone-shaped pits to trap ants, and the ending -idae shows it is a family name.