Flygsandfältet vid Dammsjön, Naturreservat

The area around Dammsjön is of great geological value. It is home to southern Dalarna’s best-formed wind-blown sand dunes, with distinct, gentle dunes. The shifting sandy soil supports a unique flora and fauna that have adapted to these conditions. For example, the centimeter-long antlion and the pasqueflower thrive here. The primary purpose of the reserve is to preserve the area’s geological value, along with its unique flora and fauna. The area is part of Gustafsfältet, which has been designated a national heritage site.

The dune field is a clear example of wind-blown sand formations from the period immediately following the retreat of the inland ice sheet approximately 9,000 years ago. The area provides a good illustration of what sand dunes typically look like. With the help of the wind, sand was set in motion and accumulated to form the dune field. The dune field is also widely used as a field trip site for geological education.

The Antlion

The antlion (Myrmeleon formicarius) is a 60–80 mm-long net-winged insect. It is found on sandy ground near pine forests in southeastern Sweden, on Öland, and on Gotland. We do not know much about the adult dragonfly.

It spends the early period after hatching high up in the tree canopy. The larva (the antlion) is a predator and digs a pit in the sand. It then lies hidden at the bottom of the pit, waiting for ants or other insects to fall into the loose sand. By flinging sand onto its prey, the antlion prevents it from escaping the pit. It sucks out its prey using powerful jaws. The antlion moves backward through the sand just below the surface when it is ready to dig a new pit.

It takes two to three years for the antlion to pupate in the ground and transform into a dragonfly.