Classification
Domain- Eukaryota
Kingdom- Animalia
Phylum- Arthropoda
Class- Insecta
Order- Neuroptera
Family- Myrmeleotidae
Genus- Myrmeleon
Species- Myrmeleon immaculatus
*Common name- Antlion
Classifications found at Bugguide.net
Explanation of Classification
Eukaryota: Organisms in this domain are multicellular organsim with cells containing a nucleus and other membrane bound organelles. They also have unbranched fatty acid chains attached to glycerol by ester linkages, as well as unique rRNA. (EOL 2012)
Animalia: Organisms in this kingdom have high complexity eukaryotic cells that have developed form a zygote stage. Various tissues and organs come together to form specialized structures and functions in adult animals. Organisms are heterotrophic meaning they consume food and break down the glucose and fat it for energy in the form of ATP. These organisms also survive by reproducing sexually with the help of specialized organs called gonads. (female ovary/male testes) These organs produce gametes by the process of meiosis. (Hudecki 2004)
Arthropoda: There have been over one million species identified in the Arthropoda phylum so far. Organisms in this phylum have a jointed external skeleton made of chitin, which is a polysaccharide. They also have segmented bodies with one pair of legs per segment. Bilateral symmetry is a key characteristic to arthropods as well as having the main nerve cord on the ventral side of the body. (Kimball's Biology pages 1994)
Insecta: Insects have a hard outer exoskeleton as well as the three body segments consisting of the head, thorax, and abdomen. Insects also have three pairs of segmented legs and a pair of antennas. Most insects have two pairs of wings, however some may have only one pair or none at all, such as ants. (Department of Entomology 1999)
Neuroptera: Myrmeleon immaculatus is in the order Neuroptera because it has an elongated body with a mandibulate mouth, and a complex wing venation with the main vein forked along the bottom edge of the wing. The wings of the Antlion are held tent-like over the body when it rests. Antlions also have large clubbed shapped antennas. (Insect and their Allies 2009)
Myremeleontida: The species in this family inhabit open woodlands, scrub grasslands and dry sandy areas. The eggs are usually unstalked and relatively large. Eggs are laid singly and for most species the larvae that emerges are sit-and-wait predators. Most larvae live live underneath the soil surface, on trees, under stones, or other debris. (Brisbane Insects and Spiders 2012)
Myrmeleon: Organisms in this genus have very stout legs with an elongated prothorax. The forward feet are adapted for seizing prey and the larvae of these species are predators. (Lexic.US 2006)
Myrmeleon immaculatus: The Myrmeleon immaculatus use sand pits to detect and capture prey. Ants are the main diet of these species and most of the adults are flyable feeders who mostly hunt at night. (Heinrich B. and M.J. Heinrich 1984.)