Hi Arjay, this is the first Myrmecia pilosula specimen I have seen that is brown. I had to check the specimens of this ant held at ANIC (the Australian National Insect Collection at CSIRO) to be sure what it was, and there are only a few brown specimens there, the vast majority being black. Many ants change colour (generally becoming darker) as they get older, so it may be a young ant and will turn black once its been exposed to some more time outside the nest. Very interesting. Cheers, Jon
They are not totally uncommon here. We see them from time to time but as you say the black ones are way more prevalent. I think the brown ones might not be as aggressive either although I would have to carefully check that out next time I see any. Usually I try to avoid them. Thanks.
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