Iridomyrmex purpureus

Meat Ant at Deakin, ACT

Iridomyrmex purpureus at Deakin, ACT - 23 Dec 2018
Iridomyrmex purpureus at Deakin, ACT - 23 Dec 2018
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Identification history

Iridomyrmex purpureus 25 Dec 2018 KimPullen
Iridomyrmex purpureus 24 Dec 2018 MichaelMulvaney
Unidentified 23 Dec 2018 JackyF

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User's notes

Following on from my inconclusive sighting of 16 December, here is a close-up photo of same ants in same sapling. They are tending small orange lerp-like growths and the ones on the left are tending small black and white objects like tiny insects. The ants look like meat ants. Hairstreak butterflies and pupae were sighted on this sapling last summer.

2 comments

KimPullen wrote:
   26 Dec 2018
The 'small black and white objects' appear to be psyllids and may be a species of Acizzia, many of which are known Acacia feeders.
JackyF wrote:
   26 Dec 2018
Thank you. Sorry I could not get a better photo.

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 101 - 1,000 Abundance
  • 23 Dec 2018 08:01 PM Recorded on
  • JackyF Recorded by

Additional information

  • Small black wattle sapling (Acacia mearnsii) Associated plant
  • 5mm to 12mm Animal size

Species information

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  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
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