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:

Yesterday

Hi Tim, the echidna looks like it is having look around a meat ant nest, maybe previously dug up by an echidna back in winter? The ants we can see are not meat ants, however, they are Iridomyrmex rufoniger, probably the most common Iridomyrmex in the region, and probably just bystanders rather than a serious target for the echidna. cheers, Jon

Iridomyrmex rufoniger

SimonDunstan wrote:

21 Jan 2025

I’ll see if I can find the research but that’s understandable.
Manuals seem to build up reactivity towards jumping jacks and reactions get progressively worse over time.
Might be time for you to look into getting an epi? I would ask your go next time your there.

Myrmecia sp., pilosula-group

Paul4K wrote:

21 Jan 2025

Yes, in the late 1970s some of the gardeners at the ANBG after being stung a few times had to carry epipens as they became very allergic. Glad it wasn't a full blown reaction.

Myrmecia sp., pilosula-group

SimonDunstan wrote:

21 Jan 2025

Sounds like you had a fairly strong reaction to the sting.

Myrmecia sp., pilosula-group

Harrisi wrote:

20 Jan 2025

sorry Paul, jumping on this post to detail an adverse reaction I had to being bitten by a jack jumper today up near Square rock carpark. Bit me through my strides and hurt like hell...I'd been bitten before and yes, feels like an electric shock. I was on my way home driving down Corin road and my palms and feet started itching badly, my hands went red and a few minutes later my lips started swelling, like I'd had a good session of Botox! Both intrigued and scared, i got home 40 minutes later having also experienced weird hot flushes and swelling to the bite site. On getting home (i nearly went straight to hospital) I read about jumping jack bites/venom and the symptoms listed matched mine exactly, a mild allergic reaction to their venom. Has anyone else had a similar reaction? I am no stranger to the Australian bush but this is the first time I have had an adverse reaction like this.

Myrmecia sp., pilosula-group