Rare insect found at second breeding site

Government conservation agency Natural England said the antlion, a member of the lacewing family, has been found at its Holkham National Nature Reserve in Norfolk.

The adults look like small dragonflies, but in their larval stage the bugs excavate cone-like burrows in which they lurk waiting for other insects to slide in, before grabbing them in their huge jaws and sucking them dry.

Natural England said there had been reports of antlions in the sandy ground beneath the reserve’s pine woods since 2005, and in a survey in 2008 the species (Eurolean nostras) was identified and 700 larval pits found.

Because the insect is so scarce in Britain experts thought the site may have only been temporarily colonised, so this year a further survey was carried out, which revealed 1,905 larval pits – showing the colony had almost trebled in size.

Antlions, whose digestive system is so efficient they excrete no solid waste and have no anus, are found over most of Europe but are extremely rare in Britain.

During their larval stage, which lasts for two years, the bugs are up to 10mm long, and as adults they can reach up 20mm long.

Natural England said the Holkham reserve was suitable for the antlions because it has open banks of sand, abundant prey and pine trees where the adults mate. The only other known breeding area for the insect in the UK is the Suffolk Sandlings.