Polyrhachis ornata (Ornate spiny ant)

2 Ornate spiny ant at Mount Painter

Polyrhachis ornata at Mount Painter - 15 Apr 2019

5 images

Identification history

Polyrhachis ornata	17 Apr 2019	Jon Lewis
Polyrhachis ornata	16 Apr 2019	CathB

Author's notes

These strange-looking ant pairs were descending the trunk of an old yellow box. This appears to be an example of the behaviour called social carrying. Images 3, 4 and 5 were taken late on 15 April when about 6 pairs were seen descending and a couple of unencumbered ants were ascending. Images 1 and 2 were taken early on 16 April and show the only pair seen, which had set out from the trunk onto the ground. Progress through the deep litter was very slow and I wasn't able to see where they went. A single ant went in the opposite direction, initially climbing a neighbouring trunk, but then coming down and starting to climb the trunk the others had come from.