Once seized, the ant is quickly pulled under the surface, paralyzed and then sucked dry. When done eating, the antlion throws the shriveled carcass out of the crater with one last flip of the head. An antlion makes several pits and repeats the feeding process several times as it grows and develops over a period of time that may last a long as three years. Pits of different sizes do not necessarily indicate the size of the insect. A large pit indicates a hungry antlion, that is, one that hasn't fed for a long time.
Few people are ever fortunate enough to see the antlion.
They are difficult to find because they spend so much time motionless at the bottom of the pit. They are easy to overlook. The best view of the larvae is achieved by sifting them out with a tea strainer. Just scoop up an inch or so of soil from below the bottom of the pit and shake away the soil. When you do find the antlion it will be up to 1.5 inches long with a flat, slender body.