Iridomyrmex purpureus

Meat Ant at Hughes, ACT

Iridomyrmex purpureus at Hughes, ACT - 13 Feb 2018
Iridomyrmex purpureus at Hughes, ACT - 13 Feb 2018
Iridomyrmex purpureus at Hughes, ACT - 13 Feb 2018
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Identification history

Iridomyrmex purpureus 20 Feb 2018 MichaelMulvaney
Unidentified 13 Feb 2018 JackyF

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User's notes

Handsome anthill about 80cm high, smooth on top, no gravel. Medium size ants, sorry I could not get a better close-up.

6 comments

KimPullen wrote:
   20 Feb 2018
The ants are meat ants (Iridomyrmex purpureus), but they are not responsible for the mound, which was made by termites.
JackyF wrote:
   22 Feb 2018
Kim - Thanks very much. Can you tell if termites are still living in the mound? Do you know what the ants are doing on it? We have been puzzling about it. Cheers, Jacky
KimPullen wrote:
   23 Feb 2018
Jacky - I can't say what the ants would be doing on the mound, I can't see how there would normally be any food on the surface of it. The mound does look quite sound (except for the hole at the lower left), which suggests it's occupied by termites. You could make a hole in the side of it to expose the galleries - if termites are home they will rush there (from inside) to defend and repair it. But the meat ants will also attack them. Regards, Kim.
JackyF wrote:
   25 Feb 2018
Thanks so much.
DonFletcher wrote:
   12 Aug 2019
There seems to be constant war between termites on one side and meat ants and sugar ants on the other. The ants commonly take over the termite mounds but I have seen one mound revert to termites. Both locally common mound building termite species seem affected.
JackyF wrote:
   12 Aug 2019
Thank you!

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Nearby sightings

Page 2 of 4 - image sightings only

Papilio anactus (Dainty Swallowtail) at Hughes, ACT - 18 Feb 2021 by JackyF
Sparassidae (family) (A Huntsman Spider) at Hughes, ACT - 14 Feb 2021 by LisaH
Oechalia schellenbergii (Spined Predatory Shield Bug) at Hughes, ACT - 14 Feb 2021 by LisaH
Nacoleia rhoeoalis (Spilomelinae) at Hughes, ACT - 14 Feb 2021 by LisaH
Heliocausta undescribed species (A concealer moth) at Hughes, ACT - 14 Feb 2021 by LisaH
Hypericum gramineum (Small St Johns Wort) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Feb 2021 by JackyF
Solanum cinereum (Narrawa Burr) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Feb 2021 by JackyF
Cymbonotus sp. (preissianus or lawsonianus) (Bears Ears) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Feb 2021 by JackyF
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus (Satin Bowerbird) at Hughes, ACT - 8 Feb 2021 by JackyF
Platycercus elegans (Crimson Rosella) at Hughes, ACT - 17 Jan 2021 by LisaH
Solanum linearifolium (Kangaroo Apple) at Hughes, ACT - 14 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Scrobiger splendidus (Clerid beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 13 Jan 2021 by LisaH
Rutilia (Donovanius) sp. (genus & subgenus) (A Bristle Fly) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Jan 2021 by LisaH
Austrolestes leda (Wandering Ringtail) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Jan 2021 by LisaH
Corcorax melanorhamphos (White-winged Chough) at Hughes, ACT - 9 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Eleale pulchra (Clerid beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 9 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Platycercus elegans (Crimson Rosella) at Hughes, ACT - 8 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Rutilia sp. (genus) (A Rutilia bristle fly, subgenus unknown) at Hughes, ACT - 8 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Nacaduba biocellata (Two-spotted Line-Blue) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Anthochaera carunculata (Red Wattlebird) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Obrida fascialis (One banded longicorn) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Pentatomidae (family) (Shield or Stink bug) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Gminatus australis (Orange assassin bug) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Mordellidae (family) (Unidentified pintail or tumbling flower beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Neoscleropogon sp. (genus) (Robber fly) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Hoshihananomia leucosticta (Pintail or Tumbling flower beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Eleale simplex (Clerid beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Eleale simplex (Clerid beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Selagis aurifera (Aurifera jewel beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 7 Jan 2021 by JackyF
Selagis aurifera (Aurifera jewel beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by Harrisi
Castiarina erythroptera (Lycid Mimic Jewel Beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by MichaelMulvaney
Eurymeloides pulchra (Gumtree hopper) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by MichaelMulvaney
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by Harrisi
Hemicordulia tau (Tau Emerald) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by Harrisi
Ichneumonidae (family) (Unidentified ichneumon wasp) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by Harrisi
Lissopimpla excelsa (Orchid dupe wasp, Dusky-winged Ichneumonid) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by Harrisi
Crossophora semiota (A Concealer moth) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by Harrisi
Odontomyia hunteri (Soldier fly) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by Harrisi
Obrida fascialis (One banded longicorn) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by Harrisi
Anilicus xanthomus (A click beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by Harrisi
Castiarina erythroptera (Lycid Mimic Jewel Beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by Harrisi
Nyctemera amicus (Senecio Moth, Magpie Moth, Cineraria Moth) at Hughes, ACT - 1 Jan 2021 by LisaH
Argiope protensa (Long-tailed Argiope) at Hughes, ACT - 1 Jan 2021 by LisaH
Odontomyia hunteri (Soldier fly) at Hughes, ACT - 1 Jan 2021 by LisaH
Obrida fascialis (One banded longicorn) at Hughes, ACT - 1 Jan 2021 by LisaH
Chauliognathus tricolor (Tricolor soldier beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 31 Dec 2020 by JackyF
Junonia villida (Meadow Argus) at Hughes, ACT - 31 Dec 2020 by JackyF
Eupoecila australasiae (Fiddler Beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 30 Dec 2020 by LisaH
Rutilia sp. (genus) (A Rutilia bristle fly, subgenus unknown) at Hughes, ACT - 30 Dec 2020 by LisaH
Orthetrum caledonicum (Blue Skimmer) at Hughes, ACT - 30 Dec 2020 by LisaH
Zizina otis (Common Grass-Blue) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by JackyF
Hoshihananomia leucosticta (Pintail or Tumbling flower beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by JackyF
Eupoecila australasiae (Fiddler Beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by JackyF
Gminatus australis (Orange assassin bug) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by JackyF
Neorrhina punctata (Spotted flower chafer) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by JackyF
Selagis aurifera (Aurifera jewel beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by JackyF
Miltinus sp. (genus) (Miltinus mydas fly) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by JackyF
Rutilia sp. (genus) (A Rutilia bristle fly, subgenus unknown) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by JackyF
Austroscolia soror (Blue Flower Wasp) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by JackyF
Zizina otis (Common Grass-Blue) at Hughes, ACT - 26 Dec 2020 by JackyF
Lucia limbaria (Chequered Copper) at Hughes, ACT - 1 Dec 2020 by LisaH
Anilara angusta (A jewel beetle) at Hughes, ACT - 30 Nov 2020 by Harrisi
Eryngium ovinum (Blue Devil) at Hughes, ACT - 22 Nov 2020 by JackyF
Apis mellifera (European honey bee) at Hughes, ACT - 13 Nov 2020 by JackyF
Eryngium ovinum (Blue Devil) at Hughes, ACT - 13 Nov 2020 by JackyF
Cassinia longifolia (Shiny Cassinia, Cauliflower Bush) at Hughes, ACT - 13 Nov 2020 by JackyF
Crassula sieberiana (Austral Stonecrop) at Hughes, ACT - 11 Nov 2020 by LisaH
Arthropodium fimbriatum (Nodding Chocolate Lily) at Hughes, ACT - 10 Nov 2020 by JackyF
Arthropodium fimbriatum (Nodding Chocolate Lily) at Hughes, ACT - 10 Nov 2020 by LisaH
Eurystomus orientalis (Dollarbird) at Hughes, ACT - 3 Nov 2020 by JackyF
Marasmius oreades (Fairy-ring Champignon) at Hughes, ACT - 2 Nov 2020 by JackyF
Swainsona sericea (Silky Swainson-Pea) at Hughes, ACT - 1 Nov 2020 by JackyF
Solanum cinereum (Narrawa Burr) at Hughes, ACT - 31 Oct 2020 by JackyF
Phacelococcus bursaria (Blackthorn felted scale) at Hughes, ACT - 31 Oct 2020 by JackyF
Swainsona sericea (Silky Swainson-Pea) at Hughes, ACT - 31 Oct 2020 by JackyF
Heterotextus sp. (A yellow saprophytic jelly fungi) at Hughes, ACT - 31 Oct 2020 by JackyF
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus (Satin Bowerbird) at Hughes, ACT - 29 Oct 2020 by kieranh
Iridomyrmex purpureus (Meat Ant) at Hughes, ACT - 29 Oct 2020 by kieranh
Lomandra multiflora (Many-flowered Matrush) at Deakin, ACT - 21 Oct 2020 by JackyF
Vanessa kershawi (Australian Painted Lady) at Hughes, ACT - 21 Oct 2020 by JackyF
Solanum linearifolium (Kangaroo Apple) at Hughes, ACT - 21 Oct 2020 by JackyF
Lomandra filiformis (Wattle Mat-rush) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by JackyF
Lomandra filiformis subsp. filiformis (Wattle Matrush) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by JackyF
Goodenia pinnatifida (Scrambled Eggs) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by JackyF
Solanum cinereum (Narrawa Burr) at Hughes, ACT - 15 Oct 2020 by kieranh
Solanum linearifolium/aviculare (Kangaroo Apple) at Hughes, ACT - 15 Oct 2020 by kieranh
Bossiaea buxifolia (Matted Bossiaea) at Hughes, ACT - 29 Sep 2020 by JackyF
Brachyloma daphnoides (Daphne Heath) at Hughes, ACT - 27 Sep 2020 by JackyF
Lomandra filiformis (Wattle Mat-rush) at Hughes, ACT - 27 Sep 2020 by JackyF
Bossiaea buxifolia (Matted Bossiaea) at Hughes, ACT - 27 Sep 2020 by JackyF
Asperula conferta (Common Woodruff) at Hughes, ACT - 27 Sep 2020 by JackyF
Triquetrella (A trailing moss) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Sep 2020 by JackyF
Glycine clandestina (Twining Glycine) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Sep 2020 by JackyF
Wurmbea dioica subsp. dioica (Early Nancy) at Hughes, ACT - 20 Sep 2020 by JackyF
Glycine clandestina (Twining Glycine) at Hughes, ACT - 19 Sep 2020 by LisaH
Corcorax melanorhamphos (White-winged Chough) at Hughes, ACT - 19 Sep 2020 by LisaH
Bulbine bulbosa (Golden Lily) at Hughes, ACT - 5 Sep 2020 by JackyF
Corcorax melanorhamphos (White-winged Chough) at Hughes, ACT - 3 Sep 2020 by JackyF
Cryptandra amara (Bitter Cryptandra) at Hughes, ACT - 3 Sep 2020 by JackyF
Eolophus roseicapilla (Galah) at Hughes, ACT - 30 Aug 2020 by JackyF

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 16 - 100 Abundance
  • 13 Feb 2018 08:38 AM Recorded on
  • JackyF Recorded by

Additional information

  • near gum saplings Associated plant
  • 5mm to 12mm Animal size

Species information

Record quality

  • 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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