antlion fly

9.4

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

noun
/ˈæntˌlaɪən flaɪ/

: mosca antlión

In their larval stage, antlion flies dig conical pits in sandy soil to trap unsuspecting ants.

Examples

The antlion fly is fascinating for its predatory larvae, which dig traps in sandy soil.
While hiking in the desert, we watched an antlion fly dart through the air near a dry creek bed.
Entomologists often study the unique life cycle of the antlion fly in their field research.
The antlion fly is known for its unique hunting technique.
Have you ever seen an antlion fly in your garden?
The antlion fly uses its impressive speed and agility to catch small insects in mid-air.
Children are often amazed when they discover an antlion fly lurking near the edge of a sandy playground.

Synonyms

antlion

vsantlion fly

9.3

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

means the same but uses a longer name that adds a common noun

Surface Forms

antlion fly singular

antlion flies plural

Morphology

antlion + fly

The compound directly combines 'antlion' (a specific insect) with 'fly' (a winged insect), so the intended meaning — the winged/adult form of an antlion — is transparently derived from the parts. This follows a common noun+noun compounding pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Antlion fly comes from the insect's young stage called an antlion, which digs a small pit in the sand and waits to catch ants like a tiny 'lion', while the adult is a winged fly. So the name tells you both about the ant-catching young and the flying adult.