Bull Ant
Myrmecia Gulosa
- Color: Red with partially black gaster and yellow mandibles
- Worker size: 14-23 millimetres
- Colony size: 900 (avg.)
- Queen: similar in size to workers, semi-claustral, monogynous
Introduction
Bull ants of the genus myrmecia, are technically the most deadly ant in the world. I say technically because only 6 people have died from ant stings in the 19 year period from 1980-1999. Not all of them were from bull ants, some of them were from jumper ants. All victims were aged 40-80 years old. Only one of them didn’t have allergies. However, while not necessarily deadly, bull ant stings are extremely painful and can cause you to regret ever going to southeastern Australia (no hate to Australia or anyone in Australia, the people there are lovely and the country has many unique features)
Unique Traits
Fierce Warriors
Bull ants are pretty scary guys. They are highly aggressive and will attempt to defend themselves from your foot if you are in close proximity to them, and you do not want to be stung by one of these guys. Even their queens (which are a caste of ants that are usually regarded as more tame than the other castes) are active hunters because they’re semi-claustral.
Defences
The defenses of the bull ant is the part that makes the bull ant scary. They have very long mandibles, which are also usually serrated (have teeth on them like a saw). Topped with the sting mentioned earlier, you can see why they’re feared by other animals and humans. You can think of them like trap jaw ants on steroids. Both have strong mandibles, and painful stingers.
Habitat & Diet
Bull ants live in mostly southeastern Australia. They nest in the soil. They also eat many of the typical foods ants love. Honeydew, insects, fungi, and more. A major food source for them are some of the more insects such as crickets.