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, which translates to "Blackhead antlion".