Myrmecia sp. (genus)

Bull ant or Jack Jumper at Point 3852

Myrmecia sp. (genus) at Point 3852 - 23 Jan 2021
Myrmecia sp. (genus) at Point 3852 - 23 Jan 2021
Myrmecia sp. (genus) at Point 3852 - 23 Jan 2021
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Identification history

Myrmecia sp. (genus) 25 Jan 2021 JonLewis
Unidentified 23 Jan 2021 CathB

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User's notes

I initially thought this was a wasp, but I think the node on the petiole makes it an ant.

1 comment

JonLewis wrote:
   25 Jan 2021
Hi Cath, this is a male Myrmecia out looking for a mate. You can tell it is a male by the small head and rudimentary mandibles - he will die in a day or two, so doesn't need much in that department. In comparison, the queens have fully developed heads and mandibles as they live for years. By the black body and red legs it is likely to be Myrmecia fulvipes but I can't be sure. You're right about the petiolar node that sets it apart from the wasps, but as ants are derived from ancient wasps and Myrmecia is a fairly "primitive" ant, it can still give a pretty good impression of a wasp, especially the sting! Cheers, Jon

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 Abundance
  • 23 Jan 2021 08:31 AM Recorded on
  • CathB Recorded by

Additional information

  • Grass 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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