Doodlebug Traditional Cache
StomperSwamp: Making room for a new hide. Thanks to all who did this cache.
More
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size:
 (regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Located near the entrance to Dillon Park, just off the frontage road, this traditional cache is available from the parking area located near the small grey building, or, if there are too many muggles near there, from the side of the roadway, closer to the search area.
Doodlebug is the common name for the larvae stage of the Antlion insect. The adult Antlion resembles a short and narrow dragonfly; it drinks nectar and eats pollen. The name Antlion comes from the voracious habits of the larvae, which have oversized heads and long, spiny jaws attached to oval-shaped bodies with short legs, and bristles all over. This predator is up to six times larger than the average ant and lies buried in the sand; they often build pits in the loose dirt and wait in the bottom for their prey to stumble in. The slopes of the trap are just steep enough to prevent easy escape and the panic struggle of the ant prey causes sand grains to slide down, filling in on the doodlebug at the bottom and signaling the arrival of a potential meal.
Patient, the doodlebug will not always take an excited ant, but will let it wear itself out trying to escape the trap. If the struggle starts to fill in the small depression, the doodlebug is forced to make quick repairs. It does this by kicking loose sand grains up along the sides of its trap, often appearing to target the ant itself and its struggle for foothold in the thrown soil particles, and the renewed obstacle it must once again attempt the climb over. This sends the ant into renewed panic but the thrown sand ensures it can gain no foot purchase. As the ant slowly tires it eventually falls down into the bottom of the pit, where the Antlion waits, with its long spiny jaws. Grasped, the prey slowly disappears below the surface, into the lair. Doodlebug, doodlebug…
In the search area, the tree cover is heavy and the terrain is very uneven and covered with slippery leaf litter. The container is a medium-sized Tupperware-like box that contains a log book and pen, with room for a few trade items. Please don’t overstuff the contents, and make sure the lid is closed securely, to ensure water tightness.
Please replace the hide as found and cover the cache well, but not obviously, when you’re done, and don’t leave any additional spoilers or any decoys in the area, as they might attract muggles.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Nybat gur rqtr bs gurfr zbhaqf, jurer na nyzbfg K znexf gur fcbg.
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:

Loading Treasures