Black Weaver Ant or Rattle Ant

Description:

Numerous stocky glossy black ants about 6mm body length, building a nest out of a curled leaf. The nest is constructed with dry plant materials and soil which are woven together with silk of their larvae. This ant carried its larva around the inside edge of the curled leaf laying the ground work for the nest-building.

Habitat:

At edge of forest at Cattana Wetlands QLD

Notes:

When their nest is disturbed, a number of ants will come out and look for the intruder. They will also make the distinct 'rattle' noise by movement across the hard leaf surface to warn the intruder.