Jonathan W. Moore
Department of Biology, Carleton College, Northfield, MN, USA, 55057
Abstract. Natural colonies of ant lion (Neuroptera: Mrymeleontidae) larvae were studied in La Selva and Santa Rosa, Costa Rica. Colonies of ant lions were measured to investigate spatial distribution. Ant lion pits were clumped, probably due to patchy differences in microclimate. A positive correlation between pit diameter and nearest neighbor distance was found, as well as increased predation success as prey were smaller. Lastly, ants visited bait stations that were in an ant lion colony less frequently than bait stations outside of the colony, indicating some sort of avoidance mechanism, as supported by previous research. These data are applicable to previous and current debates in ant lion ecology. This study raises additional questions about interactions among ant lions as well as the evolution of an ant lion sensing trait in ants.