Insect Order (Neuroptera)
NEUROPTERA
The order Neuroptera includes only around 335 recognized species in North America. The mouths of these insects are designed for chewing and vision from the compound eyes is thought to be good. Body shapes are typically long and slender and wings transparent. They can be found most anywhere outdoors, from forests to deserts, and feed on a diet of pollen / nectar and other insects. Larvae can be found on branches of trees or near the roots of plants on the ground. The Hemiptera order covers Antlions, Lacewings, Mantidflies, and Owlflies. Antlions, in particular, can be sometimes mistaken for Dragonflies.
Taxonomy
Other Names: "Doodlebug"
The Taxonomic Breakdown is the scientific way to categorize a partocular insect species from its largest group (Animalia) to its smallest (variable). The Genus and Species categorizations taken together make up the species' scientific name shown above, in this case Glenurus spp..
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Neuroptera
Family: Myrmeleontidae
Genus: Glenurus
Species: spp.
Characteristics
Antenna: Antenna are noticeably apparent on this insect.
Outdoors: Typically found across the great outdoors.
Winged: Has wings to hop or fly over distance.
Description
The Anlion is also known by these other names:
Doodlebug
The Anlion has been identified by site users by the following descriptors:
black blue gray grey winged wings flying outdoors skinny thin hairy antenna fuzzy eyes
Sighting Guide
The general likelihood of encountering this insect based on a given month of the year in the state of Tennessee. Generally, the best sighting months are June through August with peak occurring in July.
Size
Below is a representation of the 'smallest-small' and 'largest-large' sizes commonly associated with the Anlion. Due to monitor differences, sizes may not be exact on your particular screen. Conversions to millimeters are provided for convenience.
Lowest-Low:
0.79 inches
(20 mm)
Highest-High:
1.57 inches
(40 mm)
Identifying Colors
Below you will find the colors most commonly associated with the Anlion. Both Primary and Secondary colors are represented in the showcase. Due to monitor differences, colors may not be exact representations.
Tennessee County Reach
The Anlion can be found in the following Tennessee counties:
Anderson; Bedford; Benton; Bledsoe; Blount; Bradley; Campbell; Cannon; Carroll; Carter; Cheatham; Chester; Claiborne; Clay; Cocke; Coffee; Crockett; Cumberland; Davidson; De Kalb; Decatur; Dickson; Dyer; Fayette; Fentress; Franklin; Gibson; Giles; Grainger; Greene; Grundy; Hamblen; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardeman; Hardin; Hawkins; Haywood; Henderson; Henry; Hickman; Houston; Humphreys; Jackson; Jefferson; Johnson; Knox; Lake; Lauderdale; Lawrence; Lewis; Lincoln; Loudon; Macon; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Maury; McMinn; McNairy; Meigs; Monroe; Montgomery; Moore; Morgan; Obion; Overton; Perry; Pickett; Polk; Putnam; Rhea; Roane; Robertson; Rutherford; Scott; Sequatchie; Sevier; Shelby; Smith; Stewart; Sullivan; Sumner; Tipton; Trousdale; Unicoi; Union; Van Buren; Warren; Washington; Wayne; Weakley; White; Williamson; Wilson
Anlion Picture (1)
1 of 1
Image of an adult Antlion flying insect.; Credit: Donnie T., United States.
This image is original to
www.InsectIdentification.org; Used with Permission.
