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Green Leaf-Weaver Ant

Oecophylla smaragdina

Photo by JackWanamaker
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

These unique ants weave together the leaves of fig trees to create basketball sized nests. They are 1-2cm in length and have sharp jaws which they will readily unleash on anything which brushes against or even comes near their nest.

Habitat:

Tropical forest.

Notes:

Their abdomens are filled with a mild acidic toxin which can be eaten for a sour apple taste, the Aboriginals of this region would boil a whole nest full of ants to make a sour tea

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)
JackWanamaker
Haha, it is quite an interesting experience to eat them. The flavor is surprisingly sweet/sour, like a tart green apple with a little stinging sensation on the tongue.
ShannaB
I'm pretty sure a girl I work with had a go at eating these, and they made her a bit woozy!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Biodiversity of The Kimberley
Photographed
PublishedFebruary 21, 2013

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