Jack Jumper ant
Myrmecia pilosula
-42.5985, 147.248
Field Notes
Description:
The jack jumper ant, hopper ant, jumper ant or jumping jack, Myrmecia pilosula, is a species of bull ant that is native to Australia. The ants are recorded throughout the country, but are most often found in Tasmania, rural Victoria, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and the southeast area of South Australia.
These ants are black or red and black, and may have yellow or orange legs, antennae and mandibles. They are 10-12 mm long. Their characteristic jumping motion when in an agitated state gave them their name.
Habitat:
Dry sclerophyll bush land. I spotted this on on our sliding glass door. The last photo is taken through the glass and shows the ant from underneath.
Notes:
This is a large and aggressive ant with a very painful bite. About 3% of people will have a severe allergic reaction to being bitten. Jack jumper ants cause more deaths in Tasmania than spiders, snakes, wasps, and sharks combined
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