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The bulldog ant Myrmecia brevinoda is the largest ant in the world in terms of average worker size [1]. The ant fauna of Australia is large and diverse. As of 1999, Australia and its external territories represent 1,275 described taxa (subspecies included) divided into 103 genera and 10 subfamilies. [2]
Myrmecia gulosa, the red bull ant, also known as the giant bull ant or "hoppy joe", is a species of bulldog ant from the genus Myrmecia. It is abundant throughout Eastern Australia . Taxonomy
Myrmecia ants are easily noticeable due to their large mandibles, large compound eyes that provide excellent vision and a powerful sting that they use to kill prey. [68] Each of their eyes contains 3,000 facets, making them the second largest in the ant world. [69] Size varies widely, ranging from 8 to 40 mm (0.31 to 1.57 in) in length.
Worker ants have been known to measure 3.7 cm (1.5 in) in total length, while queens can exceed 4.0 cm (1.6 in) in length, making them one of the largest types of bull ants in Australia and in the world. Most of their bodies are dark red, with the exception of the bulbous parts of their abdomens being black. [2]
The ant that averages the largest for the mean size of the whole colony is Dinoponera gigantea, averaging up to 3.3 cm (1 + 1 ⁄ 4 in). Another ant that is native to Australia, Myrmecia brevinoda, workers are reported to be 3.7 cm (1.5 in) on average and queens are more than 4 cm (1.6 in) in length. [8]
M. gulosa is found throughout the eastern states and territories of Australia. It is a large species, with workers measuring 14 to 26 millimetres (0.55 to 1.02 in). The queens are the largest at 27 to 29 millimetres (1.06 to 1.14 in) and males 17 to 21 millimetres (0.67 to 0.83 in).
Myrmecia nigriceps, also known as the black-headed bull ant, is a species of ant endemic to Australia. A member of the genus Myrmecia in the subfamily Myrmeciinae, it was first described by Austrian entomologist Gustav Mayr in 1862. These ants are large, varying from 19 to 23 millimetres (0.75 to 0.91 in) in length.
Myrmecia nigrocincta, commonly known as the jumper ant or jumping jack, is an ant of the genus Myrmecia. The species was first described by Frederick Smith in 1858. Colonies of this ant are abundant in eastern Australia. [2] [3] Ants of this species are known for their ability to jump up to 10 centimetres, and they also have a powerful ...