Some behavioral observations on larvae of antlion,myrmeleon formicarius linnaeus,1767 (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) in forest and non-Forest areas of kahramanmaras province,turkey

Kahramanmaras (k. maras),located on c6 square by grid system,has a great deal of endemic biodiversity and worthwhile environmental features for both animal and plant species. the study was conducted in the months of may to august in 2009,2010 and 2011 with a view to determining certain behavioral features in the larvae of antlion myrmeleon formicarius linnaeus,1767 in forest and non-forest (including sandy,grassland,scrub,and rangeland) areas 28 localities of kahramanmaras. the species was reported for the first time in the west and south of turkey. the effects of some physical parameters such as temperature,altitude,sand particle size,weather conditions,plant species and locality features were examined on the antlion pit size. vegetation of the area was also studied. it was inferred that the sand particle size and locality features had a noteworthy effect on the pit size,whereas soil temperature,altitude and weather conditions had no effect. m. formicarius larvae in habitats other than forests had larger pit size than forest areas in kahramanmaras. additionaly it was observed that fagus sp.,pinus halepensis,p. pinea,picea abies,quercus infectoria,and myrtus communis were abundant in the forest area. besides,presence of geranium glaberrimum,ricoata sinua,papaver sp.,delphinum cilicium,corydalis solida and rubus sanctus were the dominant species in the non-forest area. © 2013 zoological society of pakistan.