 The antlions are a group of about 2 @,@ 000 species of insect in the family Myrmeleontidae , known for the fiercely predatory habits of their larvae , which in many species dig pits to trap passing ants or other prey . The adult insects are less well known , as they mostly fly at dusk or after dark , and may be mistakenly identified as dragonflies or damselflies ; they are sometimes known as antlion lacewings , and in North America , the larvae are sometimes referred to as doodlebugs because of the strange marks they leave in the sand . 
