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Polyrhachis ammon
Iridescent gold ants, with body spines. Body length approx 10mm. Polyrhachis do not have a sting but with an acidipore can spray formic acid. When attacking, this is often sprayed in combination with biting thus making the acid more effective against the subject of the attack.
Living on Flagellaria indica at Cattana Wetlands QLD
Thank you Shanna for your assistance with ID resources. P.ammon looked the best match.
Thank you very much Shanna for the assistance with the ID. Yes I agree Polyrhachis ammon looked good for it. Cheers Andrea
Hey Andrea, it's some sort of Spiny Ant - Polyrhachis (Hagiomyrma) sp. or Polyrhachis ammon. Apparently there are over 600 subspecies of Polyrhachis. Here are a few resources if you want to go hunting...
http://www.alexanderwild.com/Ants/Taxono...
http://lifeunseen.com/index2_list_196.ph...
http://www.padil.gov.au/barrow-island/Pe...
http://www.myrmecos.net/formicinae/polyr...
http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_...
Personally, I like to call them 'Kylie ants'. ; )
Spotted on Mar 4, 2012
Submitted on Mar 10, 2013
