Stuck on a crossword clue? Discover the unexpected answer for ‘Doodlebug, e.g.’

Sure, I’d be happy to help with that.
The term “doodlebug” is often used to refer to the larval stage of an insect that is commonly found in North America, known as the antlion. Antlions are insects that belong to the family Myrmeleontidae, and they are characterized by their enlarged, toothed mandibles and their habit of digging pits in sandy or gravelly soil to trap prey.

Antlion larvae, or “doodlebugs,” have a distinctive appearance that sets them apart from more familiar insect larvae like caterpillars. They are small, usually less than an inch long, and have a plump, grub-like body with six spindly legs near the front. Their most recognizable feature, however, is their oversized and fearsome-looking mandibles, which can be used to capture and crush prey.

Like most insect larvae, antlion doodlebugs undergo a series of molts as they grow and develop. Depending on the species, this larval stage may last anywhere from several weeks to several years. Once they reach maturity, doodlebugs will spin a cocoon or pupate in the soil before emerging as adult antlions.

So, to sum it up, the answer to the crossword clue “Doodlebug, e.g.” is LARVA, specifically referring to the larval stage of the antlion insect.