English: Under a very low magnification of 13X, this scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted the entire ventral surface of a larval-staged antlion, sometime referred to as a “doodlebug”, because of the trails it leaves in the soft sand as it hunts for prey. This arthropod, i.e., jointed legs, undergoes dramatic morphologic changes when it metamorphoses into a beautiful flying antlion lacewing. See PHIL 11818 for a colorized version of this image. Note the large mandibles to the right, which are used to apprehend prey that unwittingly fall into the conical sand trap constructed by this carnivorous larva. You’ll also note the presence of numerous “hairs” covering virtually the entire exoskeletal surface. Referred to as setae, these are not the hairs that are common to mammals, but are composed of chitin, as is the exoskeleton itself, and are sensorial in nature, providing the insect larva with environmental data, including tempurature, tactile stimuli, and chemical changes.