Zambia
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Monster (full resolution) image (303 kb)
In sandy soil in southern Africa you'll often encounter small (about 2cm) conical
pits like this one. These are dug by
Antlions,
larvæ of insects of the family Myrmeleontidae.
An Antlion is a pint-size version of the
Sarlacc sand
monster in Return of the Jedi--it lurks at the
bottom of the pit it's dug and devours anything unlucky enough
to fall in, principally ants. A voracious feeder, it eventually
metamorphosises into a flying insect resembling a
dragonfly.
by John Walker
July, 2001
This document is in the public domain.
