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Golden-tailed Spiny Ant

Polyrhachis ammon

Photo by Andrea Lim
Published on Project Noah
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-16.8316, 145.701

Field Notes

Description:

Iridescent gold ants, with body spines. Body length approx 10mm. Polyrhachis do not have a sting but with an acidipore can spray formic acid. When attacking, this is often sprayed in combination with biting thus making the acid more effective against the subject of the attack.

Habitat:

Living on Flagellaria indica at Cattana Wetlands QLD

Notes:

Thank you Shanna for your assistance with ID resources. P.ammon looked the best match.

Reference Links:

Polyrhachis - Overview, Polyrhachis, Golden-tailed Spiny Ant - Polyrhachis (Hagiomyrma) sp., Polyrhachis ammon

Species ID Suggestions

Spiny Ants

Polyrhachis dives
ArisL
1

Comments (2)
Andrea Lim
Thank you very much Shanna for the assistance with the ID. Yes I agree Polyrhachis ammon looked good for it. Cheers Andrea
ShannaB
Hey Andrea, it's some sort of Spiny Ant - Polyrhachis (Hagiomyrma) sp. or Polyrhachis ammon. Apparently there are over 600 subspecies of Polyrhachis. Here are a few resources if you want to go hunting... http://www.alexanderwild.com/Ants/Taxonomic-List-of-Ant-Genera/Polyrhachis/8709570_srLsKm/642074786_wdBw7wn#!i=1694275804&k=qCNqTnQ http://lifeunseen.com/index2_list_196.php http://www.padil.gov.au/barrow-island/Pest/Main/136728 http://www.myrmecos.net/formicinae/polyrhachis.html http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_ants/golden_ant.htm Personally, I like to call them 'Kylie ants'. ; )

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2013 Best Wildlife Photo

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Photographed
PublishedMarch 10, 2013

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