Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

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To see a diagram of a worker ant illustrating terminology, visit:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaster_(insect_anatomy)#/media/File:Scheme_ant_worker_anatomy-en.svg

Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

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Discussion

JonLewis wrote:

19 Nov 2025

Hi HW, probably Ochetellus, but can’t quite see it well enough. Cheers, Jon

Formicidae (family)

JonLewis wrote:

17 Nov 2025

Great photos Miranda!

Papyrius sp. (genus)

ConBoekel wrote:

17 Nov 2025

Thanks, Jon. There is always something surprising and intriguing in nature when we go out and about.

Iridomyrmex sp. (genus)

JonLewis wrote:

17 Nov 2025

Thanks Con. Beautiful photos of the flower-covered nest. Could be one of several Iridomyrmex which construct raised areas of vegetable matter to catch the sun and make a warm place to raise brood. Below is a quote from Shattuck, S. O., & McMillan, P. (1998). Revision of the species of the Iridomyrmex conifer group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), with notes on their biology. Australian Journal of Zoology, 46(3), 301–315. https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO98033.

"The conifer species-group of the ant genus Iridomyrmex .... The species I. conifer Forel, I. setoconus, sp. nov. and I. turbineus, sp. nov. are placed in the group, which is limited to south-western Australia. ... These ants show unusual nesting habits in that thatched mounds are used during the cooler winter months and subterranean nests are constructed during the hot summer months. This habit is not known to occur in any other ant."

Cheers, Jon

Iridomyrmex sp. (genus)

JonLewis wrote:

10 Nov 2025

Hi Tim, you might be right, but I can't see them well enough to be sure what they are. Cheers, Jon

Formicidae (family)