Insects
Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
Sighting 4366449

Papyrius sp. (genus)

A Coconut Ant at Weetangera, ACT

Papyrius sp. (genus) at Weetangera, ACT - suppressed
Papyrius sp. (genus) at Weetangera, ACT - suppressed
Papyrius sp. (genus) at Weetangera, ACT - suppressed
Papyrius sp. (genus) at Weetangera, ACT - suppressed
Papyrius sp. (genus) at Weetangera, ACT - suppressed
Papyrius sp. (genus) at Weetangera, ACT - suppressed
Papyrius sp. (genus) at Weetangera, ACT - suppressed
Papyrius sp. (genus) at Weetangera, ACT - suppressed
Papyrius sp. (genus) at Weetangera, ACT - suppressed
Papyrius sp. (genus) at Weetangera, ACT - suppressed
Request use of media

Identification history

Papyrius sp. (genus) 25 Oct 2021 JonLewis
Melophorus perthensis 11 Jan 2021 AlisonMilton

Identify this sighting

Please Login or Register to identify this sighting.

User's notes

Trailing across the pathway ahead of the coming storm.

4 comments

JonLewis wrote:
   11 Jan 2021
Hi Alison, these ants look a lot like Papyrius rather than Melophorus based on the general body shape & size, and the concave shape of the back of the head (the back of the head is rounded in Melophorus minors). Is this a possibility? Cheers, Jon
AlisonMilton wrote:
   11 Jan 2021
I thought this too but they seemed to be nesting in the ground travelling from one nest to the other on the dirt path. A huge storm was brewing with menacing black clouds. I could find the spot again and collect some samples if you like.
JonLewis wrote:
   11 Jan 2021
Papyrius will certainly nest in the ground and often seem to have what looks like networks of nests with trails between them, so your observation seems ok for Papyrius. If you get the chance, the squish test will confirm it for us.
AlisonMilton wrote:
   11 Jan 2021
Thanks Jon. Will try to get back there this week. I intended to reach the Weetangera paddock anyway but got thwarted by the storm. During the recent survey conducted by Michael we did find them nesting among rocks at The Pinnacle but this is not near any known sites. If they don't pass the smell test I can still collect some samples.

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
833,212 sightings of 22,974 species from 14,457 members
CCA 3.0 | privacy
NatureMapr is developed by at3am IT Pty Ltd and is proudly Australian made