Mom Snaps First Wild Photo of Ultra-Rare Australian Bug

Judy Allen was simply enjoying a February bushwalk near Red Cliffs when she spotted an unusual insect perched at eye level, almost as if it was waiting to be discovered.

The Mildura resident regularly photographs local plants and insects for iNaturalist, a citizen science website where experts help identify species. But this time, her casual snapshot turned into something extraordinary.

Allen had captured the first known wild photograph of Myrmeleon houstoni, a species of antlion that had only ever been documented in museum collections. "I was blown away by the response," she said, admitting she had no idea what the bug was when she first photographed it.

The antlion wasn't hiding either. Allen found it attached to a twig on a bush directly in her path, perfectly positioned for its debut photo shoot.

Not to be outdone, Allen's daughter Fiona later photographed another Myrmeleon houstoni in a different part of the Mallee region. The mother-daughter duo now hold the only wild photographs of this elusive species on record.

Cameron Slatyer, who manages biodiversity initiatives at CSIRO, explained that Myrmeleon houstoni lives in sandy areas across Australia. The larvae are fierce predators, building conical pit traps and spitting sand at ants until they tumble in and become dinner.

Despite being found nationwide, only 130 records of this species exist compared to three million for the Australian magpie. Allen's photographs are filling significant gaps in understanding where these insects actually live.

Why This Inspires

Allen's discovery highlights the power of everyday curiosity. She didn't need special training or expensive equipment, just a camera and willingness to document what she found.

Her contribution joins a massive citizen science movement. About 70 percent of Australia's 180 million biodiversity records come from amateur naturalists like Allen, according to Slatyer.

The numbers reveal just how much remains unknown. Australia has roughly 233,000 identified species, but scientists estimate the true number is closer to 500,000.

"It's actually kind of scarily easy to take a photo of something that's never had a photo taken of it before," Slatyer said. He reviews 200 to 400 new species records weekly, most submitted by citizen scientists with smartphones and curiosity.

Anyone can start contributing by taking clear, close photos of local wildlife and uploading them to iNaturalist, where experts worldwide help with identification. The next major discovery could come from any backyard, park, or casual bushwalk.