Polyrhachis ornata

2 Ornate spiny ant at Mount Painter

Polyrhachis ornata at Mount Painter - 15 Apr 2019
Polyrhachis ornata at Mount Painter - 15 Apr 2019
Polyrhachis ornata at Mount Painter - 15 Apr 2019
Polyrhachis ornata at Mount Painter - 15 Apr 2019
Polyrhachis ornata at Mount Painter - 15 Apr 2019
Request use of media

Identification history

Polyrhachis ornata 17 Apr 2019 JonLewis
Polyrhachis ornata 16 Apr 2019 CathB

Identify this sighting


Please Login or Register to identify this sighting.

User'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.

1 comment

JonLewis wrote:
   18 Apr 2019
Great photos and very interesting observation, thanks! Jon

Please Login or Register to comment.

Location information

Sighting information

Additional information

  • 5mm to 12mm Animal size

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Verified by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
1,904,202 sightings of 21,270 species from 13,102 contributors
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.