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Green Ants (Weaver Ants)

Oecophylla Sp

Photo by Christiane
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Notes:

They clamber all over the tree containing their nest and serve to protect it from invaders. These ants are often found in fruit trees.
When the unsuspecting person tries to help themselves to some tasty fruit to eat, the aggressive green ants drop down on them and start biting. Their bite is not very painful but several ants attacking simultaneously can be rather uncomfortable.

Reference Links:

Weaver ant

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
Christiane
The Green Ant yimurralya is used as bush medicine. The nest is taken from the tree rubbed together place in a bucket of water for only a short time. The water is strained into a clean bowl. This green ant medicine is drunk if you have like the flu.
Christiane
They defiantly knew that I was there!! And they even jump at there enemy! My shirt had some holes from their attacks.
Gordon Dietzman
There was also some discussion about orchard owners actually stringing heavy cords from tree to tree so these arboreal ants could more easily travel between trees. They are being touted as a biological control on other insects.
Gordon Dietzman
There was a great article in the National Geographic (last issue, perhaps?) about weaver ants. The author mentioned that having a 100,000 weaver ants coming after oneself was not something to be desired. Snap your photos and get out....grin. Ants are fascinating photo subjects as well as having fascinating behaviors. The ant on top is exhibiting aggressive posturing with the high stance and upraised abdomen. Did she know you were there?

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Hyménoptères : Abeilles, Guêpes, Bourdons, Frelons, Fourmis de France
Photographed
PublishedMay 11, 2011

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