Golden-spined Ant
Scientific name: Polyrhachis ammon
Alternative name/s:
Golden Ant
Golden Ant
Click to enlarge image
Golden-spined Ant, Polyrachis hookeri from the Royal National Park
Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Polyrhachis
- Species
- ammon
- Subfamily
- Formicinae
- Family
- Formicidae
- Super Family
- Vespoidea
- Suborder
- Apocrita
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 8 mm - 11 mm
Golden-spined or Golden Ants have a metallic sheen to their body, which is covered in golden hairs.
Identification
Golden-spined Ants have a strangely spined thorax, probably used in defence against predators.
Habitat
Found in urban areas, forests and woodlands, heath, Golden-spined Ants often nest in sand at the base of shrubs and trees.
Distribution
Golden-spined Ants are found throughout Australia.
Seasonality
Many Golden-spined Ants stay in their nest during wet or extremely hot periods.
Feeding and diet
Golden-spined Ants are omnivores. They collect nectar and pollen from a wide range of plants including eucalypts and acacias. They also collect dew from these plants early in the morning. They forage as individuals and can be seen on food-collecting missions at most times and in most weather conditions.
