Giant ant lion

Giant ant lions were a monstrous variety of the insects of the same name.

Description
Descriptions of these creatures varied. Some said they looked like fat-bodied louses the size of a warhorse. Others would say that they looked like a cross between a mole and a giant ant.

Their bodies were gray or sandy brown in color, completely covered by a leather exoskeleton with patches of coarse black bristles. These bristles were sensitive to both movement and odors. They had six, thick legs with sharp claws and flat bristles - they used these for digging and brushing away loose soil respectively. Their eyes were deep-set and beady.

The most prominent feature of these creatures were their enormous mandibles, extending from the mouth and its rows of jagged teeth. These mandibles were silvery gray and razor-edged, with a single barb centered on the inner ridge that they used to impale and hold prey.

Combat
Rather than stalking or hunting prey, these creatures dug deep tapering pits that measured in diameter. Within these pits they buried themselves under a covering of loose gravel, sand, soil, or stones. Then waited for prey to fall into their pit.

Once a giant ant lion had prey grasped in its mandibles, they would not let go until either one of them was dead. They would impale prey with their mandible barbs, crush them with their mandibles, and grind their mandibles back and forth in a sawing motion.

Diet
Giant ant lions were a carnivorous species. They were liable to devour any creature that fell into their pits, though they had a preference for giant insects. Typically eating one or more giant insects per day, particularly giant ants.

Habitats
These giant insects were typically found in the hills, mountains, plains, badlands, or desert fringes of regions with temperate or tropical climates. Often in areas where other giant insects lived.

Usages
Some primitive cultures repurposed the mandibles of slain giant ant lions into plows.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Black Courser • Dungeon #34, "On Wings of Darkness" • Dungeon #40, "Khamsa's Folly • Dungeon #63, "Blood and Fire"