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A lot more to dig up on nature’s sand artist
View(s):By Malaka Rodrigo
Long before smartphones and televisions dictated pastimes, children found entertainment in nature’s small wonders. One of the most fascinating sights was the cryptic doodles — seemingly aimless patterns etched into soft sand. Even more astonishing were the mysterious, cone-shaped pits that resembled miniature craters, as if left behind by departing alien ships.
Children knew these strange trails belonged to a curious creature called the ‘binkunda.’ They even had a playful song for it “binkundo bola binkundo, thoth natapiya maath natannam, binkundo bola binkundo” and enjoyed unearthing the hidden architect beneath the perfectly shaped cones using thin sticks. What they found was an odd-looking insect larva, buried in the sand, waiting for its next unsuspecting visitor – mainly ants.
The pits built by Antlions to trap the ants
“These are doodle bugs, better known as antlion larvae,” explains Amila Sumanapala, a conservation biologist specialising in insects such as dragonflies and damselflies. “What people call ‘binkunda’ is actually the larval stage of the antlion that mainly hunt on ants using their cone shaped sand pits. Unlike their predatory youth, adult antlions develop wings and resemble smaller damselflies, capable of flight,’’ Mr. Sumanapala said.
Antlions belong to the order Neuroptera, which includes about 60 species in Sri Lanka, such as lacewings, mantis flies, and their lesser-known relatives. However, research on these insects remains limited. In a recent study, museum specimens helped describe a previously unknown species of antlion from Sri Lanka, now scientifically named Nepsalus maclachlani.
The most remarkable aspect of an antlion’s life is its ingenious method of hunting. During its larval stage, this insect transforms into an ambush predator, creating deadly traps in loose, sandy soil. Using its shovel-like head, it meticulously carves out a conical pit. Any small insect — often an ant — that stumbles into the pit finds itself struggling against shifting sands, unable to escape. Concealed at the bottom, the antlion larva waits to seize its prey.
This hunting strategy is a masterpiece of evolutionary adaptation, honed over millions of years. The conical design maximises the chances of a successful catch while minimizing the energy required for active hunting. Studies have revealed that antlion larvae carefully select the right type of sand and constantly adjust the slope of their pit walls to maintain effectiveness. Factors like moisture and grain size influence their construction, demonstrating remarkable environmental awareness in these tiny predators.
The antlion’s life cycle is as fascinating as its hunting technique. As a larva, it spends its time perfecting its trap and capturing prey. But after a period of growth, it undergoes metamorphosis, emerging as a delicate, winged adult. Unlike its larval stage, the adult antlion does not rely on elaborate traps. Instead, it takes to the air, seeking mates and new territories.
Adult antlion
This transformation is striking — the ferocious predator of the sand becomes an ephemeral creature of flight. While the adult’s main purpose is reproduction, its mobility plays a vital role in dispersing populations, maintaining genetic diversity, and ensuring the species’ survival in changing environments.
Despite its resilience, the antlion faces increasing threats due to habitat loss. Rapid urbanisation, deforestation, and agricultural expansion have led to the destruction of sandy patches, riverbanks, and forest edges — prime hunting grounds for antlion larvae. The shrinking habitat threatens not just the antlion but also the delicate predator-prey relationships it helps sustain.
Unfortunately, research on the conservation status of Sri Lanka’s antlions remains scarce. Entomologists emphasise the need for further studies to understand their distribution, population trends, and ecological significance. By gathering such data, conservation efforts can be directed toward preserving not just the antlion but also the broader ecosystems that support countless other species.
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