This little guy was wandering across our verandah today.
I'd hate to step on one barefoot in the dark!
We get the occasional visitor like this even though we are
100s of metres away from large gums where their nests are.
Pentax DSLR with Achromatic Macro lens.
Thats not an ant. That's a dinosaur. What a great shot Steve. I thought our jumping ants were vicious looking but he takes the cake. I'd hate to get a finger in those jaws. They look like someone has taken two pieces of the movable parts of a mudcrabs claws and stuck them to the ants face.
Thats not an ant. That's a dinosaur. What a great shot Steve. I thought our jumping ants were vicious looking but he takes the cake. I'd hate to get a finger in those jaws. They look like someone has taken two pieces of the movable parts of a mudcrabs claws and stuck them to the ants face.
I'm not sure I'd want to get that close. One is bad enough. Try dealing with hundreds of them.
But they're nowhere near as vicious as fire ants.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lumen Miner
Did he jump at all? If not he is probably a Brown. Cute lil' guys arn't they!!
It looks like one of our Sydney bull ants.
To get into macro I think I need some closeup rings for my Sony. The 70-300mm tele only does about 1/3 lifesize. Are the Kenko automatic rings the best choice without the price getting out of hand?
To get into macro I think I need some closeup rings for my Sony. The 70-300mm tele only does about 1/3 lifesize. Are the Kenko automatic rings the best choice without the price getting out of hand?
Perhaps a reversing ring?
Wack a reversed 50mm on that baby and then you'll be talkin'. No DOF though.
This was a reversed 50mm on a digi PS. It's a head shot of a Sydney Brown Bull ant.
Yep, it's a bull ant, sometimes called jumping jacks. Cool looking, hey. I liked ponders' description - thought the same thing myself.
Bull ants are not sometimes called jumping jacks. Jumping bull ants are sometimes called jumping jacks. There are several types of bull ants, not all jump.
The Sydney Brown bull ant does not jump.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ric
Fantastic shots Steve, great detail.
We call them Inchmen, If they bite you it bloody hurts believe me and for an hour or two as well.
If your near the nest they will follow the vibration of your footsteps for quite a way to protect it.
They can also see up to 2.5m away.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hotspur
Thats a Myramica sp
great looking ant,we have them here,just outside
our gate,i i have put 4 posts around there nest,so
it does'nt get run over with lawn mower,and it remains
protected.
They have a nasty nip,but from memory not a posion.
I caught one in my bug catcher when i was a child,it escaped
and bit my sister,she really cried a lot,but is still alive,
but has'nt spoken to me ever since.I think there is a
species in this genus down in Victoria or Tassie,thats a bit
more nasty.i will check entomological book.
Fine capture,well done
Yup they produce a venom, that's why the bite hurts so much.
They also excreet it when they die.
I actually have a copy of the 2 volume CSIRO Insects of Australia - not cheap @ AU $400 for the pair I might add. Very detailed the most in depth look at Australian insects. Very heavy duty reading...
I have a very comprehensive collection of books on Australian insects, and especially, Australian spiders. Most people wouldn't have anywhere near what I have
Thank you all for the comments.
I thought it was a stock standard inch ant...shows
my ignorance of the ant world
I have been bitten by these buggers as a kid though.
Very painful!
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