Meranoplus sp. (genus)

Shield Ant at Cook, ACT

Meranoplus sp. (genus) at Cook, ACT - 28 Dec 2018
Meranoplus sp. (genus) at Cook, ACT - 28 Dec 2018
Meranoplus sp. (genus) at Cook, ACT - 28 Dec 2018
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Identification history

Meranoplus sp. (genus) 29 May 2019 JonLewis
Meranoplus sp. (genus) 29 May 2019 JonLewis
Unidentified 28 May 2019 CathB

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User's notes

Sorry for the picture quality, but very small and very busy. Possibly the same as sighting 4223746, which is clearer.

2 comments

JonLewis wrote:
   29 May 2019
Hi Cath, thanks for this sighting. This is the first record of this genus for CNM - nice work! Even though the photos are not perfect, you can see the diagnostic features pretty well - a small, chunky ant with broad head and, most importantly, the back of the body is broadened along the top surface to form a sort of shield over it. The other sighting (4223746) is the same genus, but is a queen, which doesn't have the same shield on the back as it would get in the way of the wings. This ant is noted for often playing dead (known scientifically as thanatosis) when disturbed, but apparently not when you were trying to take the photos! Cheers, Jon
CathB wrote:
   29 May 2019
Thanks Jon. I have just been looking at some pictures of these online, and they are quite beautiful. I will keep an eye out for more and hope they play dead so I can get some better pictures!

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Page 1 of 3 - image sightings only

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Amanita sp. (Amanita sp.) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2021 by drakes
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Perga dorsalis (Steel-blue sawfly, spitfire) at Cook, ACT - 26 Feb 2021 by CathB
Entometa apicalis (Gum Snout Moth) at Holt, ACT - 21 Feb 2021 by drakes
Tiphiidae sp. (family) (Unidentified Smooth flower wasp) at Cook, ACT - 9 Feb 2021 by CathB
Coccinellidae (family) (Unidentified lady beetle) at Cook, ACT - 9 Feb 2021 by CathB
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Location information

Sighting information

  • 4 - 15 Abundance
  • 28 Dec 2018 07:30 AM Recorded on
  • CathB Recorded by

Additional information

  • Less than 5mm Animal size

Species information

Record quality

  • Overall Fit for scientific/research use
  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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