Myrmeleon formicarius

Myrmeleon formicarius
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Neuroptera
Family:	Myrmeleontidae
Genus:	Myrmeleon
Species:	M. formicarius
Binomial name
Myrmeleon formicarius Linnaeus, 1767

Myrmeleon formicarius is a species of antlion native to Belgium and other parts of Europe.^[1] It is known to be present in the Genk nature reserve Opglabbekerzavel in 2020, according to the species inventory prepared for the city by the ecological study/advice company Mieco-effect.^[2]

According to the European Environment Agency, this species has not yet been assessed by the IUCN and as such lacks an official conservation threat status.^[3] Despite there being little species-specific information available online, the Encyclopædia Britannica describes it as "the best known of the 65 described species" of antlions.^[4]

It has been suggested that there is a great deal of confusion in the distinction of individuals between M. formicarius and Euroleon nostras.^[5] The easiest hallmark of M. formicarius larvae is its largely black head, but this can easily be mis-seen due to fine humus/substrate particles clinging to their many head hairs. For adults, the lack of black flecks in their wing colours is an identifying feature.

A 2020 study by Wu et al., sequenced their mitochondrial genome and found that they are most closely related to Myrmeleon immanis, another antlion species.^[6]

The common name of M. formicarius in Dutch is Zwartkopmierenleeuw, which translates to "Blackhead antlion".

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