Marvels of the Universe 



47 



[By Theo. Carieras. 

 THE ANT-LION'S TRAP. 



In this illustration the Ant-Lion's pitfall is shown in section, with the 

 insect buried in the sand at the bottom. 



abdomen in the sand, in this 

 manner obtaining greater power 

 for its next movement. 



Then by means of its fore-leg 

 nearest the centre of the circle, it 

 loads its broad, flat head with sand, 

 which it suddenly hurls outside the 

 circle in an astonishing manner. 

 So it pushes backwards round and 

 round inside the ring, continually 

 throwing out the sand as it travels. 

 When a circle is completed, it 

 changes its position and excavates 

 the next furrow in the opposite 

 direction, thus working its legs on 

 each side alternately, but always 

 loading its head with sand by 

 means of the inside fore-leg. 



Small stones are frequently a source of trouble during the excavation, and if one is too large to 

 throw out the larva gets beneath it, hfting it on its back, and adroitly balancing it while it climbs 

 the side of the pit and until it can deposit it on the outside. In due course, after many decreasing 

 circles have been excavated, a conical pit is formed, and at the bottom of this the energetic grub 

 proceeds to bury itself all but the end of its mandibles, which are allowed to project. 



In this manner it patiently awaits the approach of an unsuspecting or inquisitive ant. The 

 larva can endure long fasts, but sooner or later its patience is rewarded. An ant, while seeking out 

 new feeding-grounds, meets with this smooth pit and its strange central object, and never having 

 seen anything like it before (for an ant usually pays but one visit to the ant-lion's pit), its curiosity 

 is aroused — it may mean food ! At all events, the naturally inquisitive ant desires to know, and so 

 it proceeds warily to investigate. 



It looks down into the hollow of the pit tor some considerable time, as if expecting something 

 to move. Apparently the curious central object has a fascination for it, and after a few minutes 

 the ant seems determined to gratify 

 its curiosity, and it proceeds to 

 test the smooth and steep banks 

 by means of its fore-legs. 



The moment the ant steps over 

 the edge of the pit the treacherous 

 sand gives way, and the startled 

 ant stumbles while endeavouring 

 to regain its foothold, dislodging 

 still more sand, with the result 

 that it usually finds itself precipi- 

 tated to the bottom of the pit, 

 perhaps right into the hungry jaws 

 of the ant-hon grub. Sometimes, 

 however, it happens that the ant 



IBy Theo.Carreras. 



has so cautiously alighted on the the ant-lion'S pitfall. 



Sides of the "Oit tll3.t it detects the The Ant- Lion excavates a funnel-sKaped pit in the loose sand. Creeping 



i T_ £ J insects looking over the brinU lose their foothold and slip to the bottom, where 



danger of the unsafe ground on ,,,« jaws of the concealed Am-Lion are waiting to receive them. 



