Large ants

[hotspur]

One for the BIMBO members of the forum,I imagine these large ants (think these are Myramecia gulsa-of the top of my head,without checking the entomological books),would not be found in Roma St parklands.We had a nest near the house years ago,and I always looked after it.But have not seen them for years,but recent storm damage had tractors pushing fallen trees along road,they disturb a nest,it was good to see these again-I quickly dropped everything I was doing and grabbed macro gear.Took a few frames-but they did not stay still very long,and some came towards me and ended up on clothing,so after a few frames (and not getting bitten) I thought I did well.These are about two inches long.

Oh by the way-used a Canon 60 mm macro lens-so had to get close!,if there was a good reason to get the 100 mm version of this lens-this would be it!

[noeyedeer]

nice pics, I got a few photos on my phone of one on the wall at night just before winter. biggest ant I've ever seen. I tried uploading my pics but they're too big and I cbf resizing etc.

love the detail in all of them. nice shots!

matt

[ourkind]

That' one nasty looking Ant! Great photos Chris!!

[Larryp]

Mean looking mandibles! Great shots!

[AstroJason]

Did you say 2 inch long ants?! :eyepop:I didn't know there were a species of ant that could grow to that length. Great photos Chris

[Derek Klepp]

Great shots Chris we occasionally get one about 30cm walking around here but the jumpers seem to have the reign around here.

[hotspur]

Thanks all,it was a risky photo shoot,these fella's have a nasty sting/bite.I've never been bitten,but have seen people who have-and
they make a lot of noise after been stung.

Surprised to get no feed back from BIMBO members,there use to be some great macro photographers here once-Steven Mudge (has any heard from him? I always thought his images on IIS to be the best of all,Troy Pigsons-another great macro man,and a few others all great to see their images,all from Brisbane area).

[troypiggo]

G'day Chris. Just saw this post. We do get them here in the city also. Never been bitten, but they certainly are aggressive. Most ants don't go after or chase a person, but these guys will. And they jump. I've always called them jumping jacks or bull ants, but they go by a few different variations. Good to see some macro images back on here. I've been out a couple of times this year, but no images to write home about.

[Grimmeister]

Nice shots Chris, I hope they aren't nested to close to the Observatory where I sleep when I come up ???:help:

They sure look like they could give a nasty bite.

Cheers

[firstlight]

If these are "Jumper ants" then be glad that you haven't been bitten. I have but only once. Before I was bitten I was told that it is akin to having a brick dropped onto your toe and I can honestly report that this is true. Cool shots Chris.

Tony

[MortonH]

Great shots, Chris. Not sure I ever want to meet one of those ants. 2 inches long? Yikes!

[trek1701]

Nice shots.

"Shoot the antenna, shoot the antenna, he's helpless without them!" ;)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047573/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Cheers Mark

[Ric]

Yep, I agree Tony except don't forget to stick red hot needles in your toe after the brick.

They have got me twice now and it wasn't any easier the second time around.