Bulldog (or simply bull) ants is the common name for a genus of ants, of which there are 90 species that grow to over 40mm in length.
Often called bulldog ants, bull ants, or jack-jumpers (although jack jumper really only describes M. pilosula, and not all species), is a genus of ants. Bull ants can grow to over 40 mm in length, with the smallest species 15 mm long. Almost all of the approximately 90 species are exclusively native to Australia, with the single exception of Myrmecia apicalis from New Caledonia, where it is rare.
Bulldog ants have excellent vision and are able to track and even follow intruders from a distance of over a meter.
These ants are well-known in Australia for their aggressive behavior and powerful stings. The venom of these ants has the potential to induce anaphylactic shock in allergic sting victims. As with most severe allergic reactions, if left untreated the reaction may be lethal. These large, alert ants have characteristic large eyes and long, slender mandibles.
Tags: Myrmecia
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