| Myrmeleon formicarius | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| 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".