Wormlions: the ecology of a predator dependent on microhabitat
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/KOSMOS.2026.003Keywords
wormlions, Vermileonidae, microhabitat, evolutionary convergence, sit-and-wait predationAbstract
Wormlions (Vermileonidae) are predatory fly larvae that construct funnel-shaped pitfall traps in loose substrate. Their foraging strategy is a case of convergence with antlions, but it relies on different morphological solutions and a stronger dependence on microhabitat properties. Abiotic factors, especially substrate grain size and moisture, play a key role, as they determine both the possibility of trap construction and its effectiveness. Wormlions prefer dry, shaded, and sheltered sites, which contributes to their high abundance in urban environments. They show limited mobility and make habitat decisions based on local cues, integrating multiple environmental factors at the same time. Compared with antlions, they are more sedentary and more specialized in exploiting and inhabiting fine-grained substrates. Future research should focus on the mechanisms of environmental perception and on the role of microclimatic variation in population dynamics. These findings may prove useful for understanding how animals function in urbanized environments.
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