Giant Antlion Larvae: these enormous insects are predators that bury themselves underground and then ambush their prey from below, and they've been known to attack geckos and other small reptiles
The images above depict the larval stage of Palpares immensus, which is one of the largest antlion species in the world. Like all antlion larvae, they eventually transform into harmless insects that resemble dragonflies.
Above: the larval form of Palpares immensus, which is commonly known as the giant antlion
This book describes the larva's unusual hunting methods:
Giant antlion larvae bury themselves in coarse sand, with just the top of their heads and open jaws showing above the surface, while they wait for insects and other prey to ambush. Sensitive hairs and relatively good eyesight tell the antlion when to strike. Anchored deep in the sand, it can subdue large prey. The toothed, sickle-shaped jaws are two hollow tubes through which salivary enzymes can be injected into the prey to paralyze it and dissolve its internal organs. The resulting soup is then sucked back up and eaten.
Above: more larvae of the same species
This article also adds:
The larvae live freely in sand and are ambush hunters. They are voracious predators and feed mainly on other arthropods, but have been known to attack geckos and, in one case a small adder. They are unable to feed on these reptiles and usually die as a result of not being able to extract their jaws from the vertebrate prey.
It can take 1-3 years for antlion larvae to reach maturity; when they're finally ready to pupate, they cocoon themselves underground for roughly a month before emerging as fully-developed adults. The adults have an average wingspan of about 16cm (6.3 inches) and they are often mistaken for dragonflies or damselflies.
Above: the adult form of Palpares immensus
Giant antlions can be found in sandy, arid environments throughout southern Africa.
Sources & More Info:
Biodiversity and Development Institute: Palpares immensus
Global Biodiversity Information Facility: P. immensus
Animal Life: Giant Antlion Larva
