Hagenomyia micans

The larva is an antlion. Its translucent wings are beautiful.

Scientific name	Hagenomyia micans
English name	Hagenomyia micans
Japanese name	薄翅蜉蝣
Class	Insecta
Order	Neuroptera
Family	Myrmeleontidae
Genus	Hagenomyia
Species	micans
Full length	Approx. 4cm
Distribution	Distributed throughout Japan

Hagenomyia micans Characteristics and Morphology

An insect characterized by its transparent wings, as indicated by its Japanese name. The body color is generally black or brown. Males and females look the same.
The antennae are prominent on the head. The eyes are black. The thin wings, which are the origin of its name, feature black wing veins and a pattern that looks like it is filled with irregular polygons. The color of the wings is not completely transparent; they reflect light in shades of blue and purple, giving them a glass-like appearance. There are white spots on the edges of the wings. The abdomen is slender and dark brownish-black.
At first glance, it looks like a dragonfly, but the antennae extending from the head are its distinguishing feature.

Hagenomyia micans Ecology

Habitat

Found in forests and grasslands from plains to mountainous areas. The larvae live in dry, sandy soil protected from rain.

Food

Predatory, feeding on other insects.

Life Cycle

Adult antlions live for several weeks.

Hagenomyia micans Photos

Hagenomyia micans Photos are introduced.
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It has a dark brown body and transparent wings.

The wings reflect beautifully when hit by light.

Hagenomyia micans Behavior

When flying, it flaps its long wings in a way that makes it look like the letter "X." Its flight speed is not fast, giving a somewhat unsteady or wobbly impression.

Hagenomyia micans Information

Naming

The scientific name "micans" means "shining" or "emitting light," which is thought to refer to the beautiful wings of the adult. The Japanese name (Usubakagero), as it suggests, refers to the thinness of the wings.

Larva "Antlion"

The larva of the Hagenomyia micans is famous as an "antlion" (Ari-jigoku). It digs funnel-shaped pits in dry ground and captures insects that pass nearby to eat them. While it was long believed that antlions do not excrete waste, an elementary school student in Sodegaura City, Chiba Prefecture, discovered in 2010 that they do indeed urinate.

Hagenomyia micans Found Locations

Forest in Minamiasakawa-machi, Hachioji City

I found one flying unsteadily in a forest in Minamiasakawa-machi, Hachioji City. I photographed it once it perched on a leaf. It did not fly away even when I approached, so I was able to capture the wings reflecting blue and purple light.

Base of a tree at home

There was an antlion pit at the base of a tree at my home, and I used to dig them out to observe them when I was a child. When placed on the ground, they don't move at all, making them appear weak at first glance. However, if you wait patiently, they start to move with "twitching" leaps. Contrary to their appearance, the abdomen is quite soft, which I remember surprising me when I first touched one.