Asian Bullet Ant
Diacamma Rugosum
- Color: Black, reddish-brown
- Worker size: 10-12 millimetres
- Colony size: 100
- Queen: no queen, gamergates
Introduction
Asian Bullet Ants are 10-12 mm in size and reddish-brown in coloration. They nest around the base of trees. They aren’t picky about where they will nest, as long as it is around a tree. These ants’ nests are often covered with a very thick layer of soil and other matter, so it is hard to locate them. Because these ants don’t have a queen, they are gamergates.
Unique Traits
Reproductive Citizens
Diacamma rugosum are gamergates. This means that there is no “queen” in the colony. Instead, all the workers have the potential to be the ant that reproduces. All ants will try to become the main reproductive worker, but only one succeeds. The dominant worker then makes the other ants unable to produce fertilized eggs. The dominant worker will also remove all the other ants’ vestigial wing buds (gemmae) so they can’t mate. The dominant worker is called the “Gamergate”. Fertilized eggs will become workers. All workers at birth are fertilized. Unfertilized eggs hatch into males. The dominant worker will mate with males. The dominant worker has a slightly larger abdomen.
Defences
Asian Bullet Ant stings cause localized pain (in humans). They will also release an odorous scent when threatened. If that’s no use, then they latch onto their victims with their mandibles and sting.
Habitat & Diet
Asian Bullet Ants are native to some tropical regions of the world, including some parts of Southeast Asia. Insects like mosquitoes, fruit flies, and crickets are crucial to their high-protein diet. They also need sugary substances to survive. They are also known for their tandem running behaviour, which means they follow each other closely behind until the leading ant arrives at her destination.
Sources:
- https://www.estheticants.com/product-page/diacamma-rugosum#:~:text=Size%20and%20Appearance:%20Both%20gamergates,fuel%20the%20workers'%20energy%20needs.
- https://www.bestantsuk.com/post/bullet-ants-understanding-their-habitat-and-behaviour#:~:text=We%20find%20their%20nests%20typically,they%20can%20raid%20for%20nectar.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214574524000397#:~:text=In%20Diacamma%20sp.%2C%20the%20gamergate,reproductive%20potential%20in%20this%20species.
- https://www.wakooshi.com/products/diacamma-rugosum#:~:text=Diacamma%20rugosum%20is%20an%20Asian,tandemruns%20to%20the%20food%20source.
- https://www.thoughtco.com/bullet-ant-sting-facts-4174296#:~:text=Most%20bullet%20ant%20stings%20can,their%20mandibles%20prior%20to%20stinging.
- https://www.welcomewildlife.com/all-about-ants/#:~:text=Haplodiploidy,to%20start%20raising%20new%20queens.
- https://www.blog.antscanada.com/new-video-new-bullet-ant-colony/#:~:text=But%20these%20Asian%20Bullet%20Ants%2C%20however%2C%20don't,the%20role%20of%20egg%2Dlayer%20in%20the%20colony.