Myrmecia pilosula

Description:

Medium sized (12mm) dusty looking black ant with yellow pincers.

Habitat:

Suburban back yard. Drier parts of Australia.

Notes:

Very aggressive and fearless they can suddenly jump huge distances. They have the most painful bite of any insect I have suffered and the pain can last for days. The bite of this ant is responsible for several deaths in Australia due to anaphylactic shock. They are uniquely Australian although a similar species has been found in New Caledonia. Nests are difficult to find and are usually a small hole in dry ground. Also called 'Jumping jacks'.