Toothless Bull Ant - Myrmecia mandibularis
Subfamily Myrmeciinae
This page contains pictures and information about Toothless Bull Ants that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
- Body length 15mm
- The ant has the black head and body, red legs and golden abdomen. Notice its jaws are relatively smooth comparing with other bull ants, i.e., its common name Toothless Bull Ant.
- Pictures were taken in Karawatha Forest during mid summer.
- We found the ant again in Karawatha Forest on early September.
- Together with other ants with golden abdomen, we believe this is the warning colour to other predators.
- We found one nest of the Toothless Bull Ant. It was near the Bushtail Track in Karawatha Forest. There was only on entry, which is raised a few mm from the ground surrounded by small gravels. The nest entry was not very busy when we noticed it. There is one or two ants guarding and no other activity. They were very aggressive.
- When we came closer to have a look, five to six ants came out towards us until we retreat to over a meter away the entry. When we tapped the nest entry with a stick, steam of ants ran out and chased towards us.
- Reference and Link:
- 1. Australian Ant Image Database - Australian Ant Image Database, R.W Taylor.
