Site navigation

ANIMAL SPECIES:Bull ants

Add comment Add tags

Bull ants have a fearsome reputation, and deservedly so.

Alternative Name/s

Bulldog ants

Number of species

90

Identification

Bull ants are large with long, straight, powerful jaws and a potent venom-loaded sting. Many species of bull ants have bright red or orange colours on the head or abdomen. There are about 90 species of bull ants in Australia with diverse behaviours and life cycles. Nine bull ant species have been recorded in Sydney, but there may be more as yet undiscovered. Some of the smaller species are known as jumper ants after their habit of aggressively jumping toward intruders.

Size range

8 mm - 10 mm

Distribution

Bull ants are found throughout Australia.

Habitat

Bull ants live in urban areas, forests and woodland, and heath.

Behaviour and adaptations

Feeding and Diet

Bull ants collect nectar and other plant juices, as well as animal prey, which are carried back to the nest.

Other behaviours and adaptations

Bull ant nests are usually underground and often have hidden or small entrances. The nests can extend several metres below the ground. They attack intruders of any size that come too close to their nest. Bull ants also have well-developed vision and will follow or even chase an intruder a good distance from the nest. Usually the sight of large aggressive ants streaming out of the nest is enough to prompt a hasty retreat. If not, the ants deliver painful stings by gripping the intruder with their mandibles (jaws), curling their abdomen to reveal the sting and injecting the victim with venom. Often multiple stings are delivered.

Life cycle

Several species have no colony workers. Instead, a raiding queen invades the nest of another species, kills the resident queen and takes over the colony.

Living with us

Danger to humans and first aid

These ants can deliver painful stings and are aggressive. An ice pack or commercially available spray may be used to relieve the pain of the sting. If there is evidence of an allergic reaction, medical attention should be sought.

Classification

Genus:
Myrmecia
Subfamily:
Myrmeciinae
Family:
Formicidae
Superfamily:
Vespoidea
Suborder:
Apocrita
Order:
Hymenoptera
Class:
Insecta
Subphylum:
Uniramia
Phylum:
Arthopoda
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?


Last Updated: 27 April 2010

16 comments

Dave Britton STAFF

Dave Britton
11.03 AM, 08 March 2010

In regards to the maximum size of bull ants:

The largest specimen in the Australian Museum collection is a queen of Myrmecia forficata collected from Oatley in 1952. She measures 33mm in length from tip of gaster to mandible. The size of bull ants within any one nest varies considerably, although queens are always bigger than the workers. Another Museum scientist tells me that he observed workers of a very large species in the Victorian mallee; presumably the queens of this species would exceed 33mm in length.  

Dave Britton STAFF

Dave Britton
11.03 AM, 08 March 2010

Dear Nathan,

The larger species of bull ants (eg. Myrmecia gulosa, M. brevinoda, M. forficata) occur in the south of Australia, including Tasmania, so it is not unusual to see one around Sydney. They are not common in urbanised areas as there is usually insufficient areas of natural bush in which they can forage for food. The nests are usually conspicuous raised domes covered in pebbles or small sticks, so if you have one nearby, you should be aware of it and avoid spending too much time nearby, as these ants are aggressive. They do not normally go indoors, but reproductives (males and females) are active during late summer and early autumn, and may be attracted to lights in houses.  

Nathan Hendry

nat6678
10.03 PM, 07 March 2010

I think I have found a Bullant here in Sydney. Northern Beaches. It crawled onto my office desk and is about 2.5 cm in length. I didn't think it was possible for them to be this far South. Should I be concerned of more around the home,, if this one managed to crawl inside. I have 2 small kids. Please advise....

Comment Attachment

Peter Williams

reebo
9.02 PM, 27 February 2010

I have a bull ant in a plastic container ehat measures 32 millimetres!

asdf asdf

jacks
1.02 PM, 25 February 2010

david britton

asdf asdf

jacks
1.02 PM, 25 February 2010

UR SPAM!

asdf asdf

jacks
8.02 PM, 23 February 2010

I have a website that regards the size of the bull ant and it says that is can grow up to 40mm, so i don't know yet

asdf asdf

jacks
8.02 PM, 23 February 2010

Hello,i'm a bit unsure if that the bull ant can grow up to 40mm? I have asked other people and they say yes. Just like to get an answer. thanks.

Chris Graves

xyris
10.07 AM, 08 July 2009

Hi David, I am unable to contact you through your staff contact form.Thanks for passing on the possible ID information regarding my photo. I have other photos and the photo was taken at Jerusalem Creek on the Far North Coast of NSW if that info is of any interest to anyone. Thanks for your time Chris Graves

Dave Britton STAFF

Dave Britton
9.07 AM, 08 July 2009

Dear Chris, here is the reply from our ant expert Derek Smith. The specimen in the photograph is most likely to be Myremcia fulviculus (legs lighter in colour than body, apex of gaster [near the sting] yellow), rather than M. piliventris (legs dark same colour as body, apex of gaster dark). However, there are 4 closely related named species with similar colouration and possibly several unnamed species in addition. I hope this helps. Dave.

Chris Graves

xyris
9.07 AM, 08 July 2009

Hello, looking for confirmation that this is Myrmecia piliventris

Comment Attachment

Report misuse

Would you like to add a comment?

Sign up to add comments and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.

Forgotten your password?

Would you like to add a tag?

Sign up to add tags and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.

Forgotten your password?

Bull Ant on top of its nest

Bull Ant on top of its nest View full size
J.Green © J.Green

Head of a Bull Ant Myrmecia sp

Head of a Bull Ant Myrmecia sp View full size
Michael Elliot © Australian Museum

Bull Ant Genus Myrmecia

Bull Ant Genus Myrmecia View full size
Pavel German © Pavel German

Bull Ant walking across leaf

Bull Ant walking across leaf View full size
Andrew Donnelly © Australian Museum

Support us

Help us continue to provide quality research, education, community programs and exhibitions.

Donate now

Online Shop

Featuring a selection of products relating to the collections.

Australian Museum Members

Join today to come to the Museum for free and enjoy many other benefits.

AMBS

Australian Museum Business Services - Ecological, archaeological and heritage consulting.

Museum as a Venue

We have many unique venues ideal for dinner, cocktails, weddings and conferences.