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Toothless bull ant

Myrmecia fulvipes

Photo by Mark Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Turning over an old car wheel revealed a nest of fairly large ants. Some of them (soldiers?) had large heads, red femurs and golden coloured pointy abdomens. About half way in size between a Jumping Jack and a Bulldog ant. Very angry so I put the wheel back.

Habitat:

IIn a local nature reserve.

Notes:

ID thanks to Kate Sandiford. <br>
I won't be testing the sting of this one. <br>
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Myrmecia+fulvipes#

Reference Links:

Myrmecia fulvipes, Myrmecia fulvipes - Antwiki

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)
bayucca
The toothless one would defninitely not be so funny for me ;-)...
Mark Ridgway
I think you might have it with the 'toothless' guy Doc. (ha ha.. how appropriate :) It's not really clear in my pic but most of those bulldog types have 'compound' curves through the mandibles whereas this one has fairly straight ones (like M. mandibularis). I've sent this one to our national ant expert. I'll let you know tomorrow what he comes up with... maybe a Victorian version with red femurs and black tarsi. Thanks again.
bayucca
Myrmeciinae I think is safe and the genus in my eyes as well. I found some red ones... Myrmecia chrysogaster also called Toothed, which I prefer to the toothless ones ;-)... http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_ants/ToothedBull.htm http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_ants/ToothlessBull.htm Some more: http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_ants/Myrmeciinae.htm Another Chrysogaster: http://www.ameisenforum.de/exotische-ameisen/37380-myrmecia-verschiedene-arten-fotos.html The nice Piliventris from my previous comment: http://www.austmus.gov.au/Uploads/Comments/414/Jerusalem%20Creek%20NSW%20(33).jpg
bayucca
I also did not find the real red ones ;-)... But anyway a hint to start...
Mark Ridgway
You never cease to amaze me bayucca. Thanks. I'm still searching for those very red femurs.
bayucca
Myrmecia sp.?? Myrmecia piliventris??? http://www.photography.minibeastwildlife.com.au/images/atomicongallery/Invertebrates/Insects/Ants/MBW_3300.jpg http://ant.edb.miyakyo-u.ac.jp/AZ/PCD0149/49.html http://www.alexanderwild.com/keyword/Myrmecia%20piliventris/ http://home.iprimus.com.au/foo7/jumperant.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrmecia_piliventris Other Piliventris from corrumpted links: http://www.austmus.gov.au/Uploads/Comments/414/Jerusalem%20Creek%20NSW%20(33).jpg http://phantastik.net/blog/ameisen/041009_Myrmecia13.jpg

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Hymenoptera of the world -- bees, ants and all their friends
Mission
Dandenong Ranges - fauna & flora
Mission
ANTS!!!!
Mission
Mission WILD

Tags

Photographed
PublishedAugust 27, 2014

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