Description of two new surface behaviors in the antlion Vella americana Drury (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae)
Keywords:
flicking, Acanthaclisini, stemmata,Abstract
Summary
Two surface behaviors were described in the larva of the antlion V. americana. Vella americana were observed flicking in a similar manner to pit builders, but in a way that does not lead to pit construction. A new spyhop behavior also was observed in which a larva exposes its head and thorax above the sand and remains very still for some time. It is hypothesized that these behaviors assist larval V. americana in hunting and orientation. The flicking motion may attract the attention of certain prey species, and the spyhop exposes the larva’s stalked stemmata and multi-segmented antennae to increase sensitivity to prey or disturbance.
Sumario
Se describieron dos comportamientos sobre la superficia del suelo por parte de las larvas de león de hormigas, V. americana. Se observó Vella americana tirando de una manera similar a los constructores de hoyos, pero de una manera que no llega a la construcción total de hoyos. También se observó una nueva conducta como el salto de espía en la que una larva expone su cabeza y tórax por encima de la arena y permanece muy quieta durante algún tiempo. Se plantea la hipótesis de que estos comportamientos ayudan a la larva V. americana en la caza y la orientación. El movimiento de tirar puede atraer la atención de ciertas especies de presas, y el salto de espia expone la stemmata de la larva y las antenas multi-segmentadas para aumentar la sensibilidad a las presas o disturbios.
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