Field Guide to Venomous and Medically Important Invertebrates ...

Ants- Some 10,000 known species of ants (Family Formicidae) occur in a variety of terrestrial
habitats worldwide. The capability of inflicting venomous stings and producing poisonous
droplets and secretions are nearly universal among ants although many species will not sting.
However, a few species are capable of causing significant harm to people, and ant venom is
similar to that of other hymenopterans. Depending on the species of ant, the venoms may have
neurotoxic, histolytic, or both, properties. Included below are those ants capable of causing
severe reactions in humans.
Bulldog and jumper ants (Myrmecia spp.)- Approximately 90 species of Myrmecia are known
from southeastern Australia, Tasmania, and New Caldeonia. These large ants (up to 1 inch or
25 mm long) produce painful stings and that also may cause allergic reactions. Jumper and
bulldog ants are aggressive and are so named because, in addition to their powerful bite, they can
jump significant distances when attacking. Their venom contains histamine and histamine-
releasing factors that cause substantial pain in victims. One species, Myrmecia pilosula, the
jumper ant, is responsible for the great majority of arthropod-related allergic reactions in
Australia. Although the prevalence of allergic reactions to ant venom in Australia is unknown,
one study suggested roughly 50% of victims had life-threatening reactions to jumper ant
envenomations. Bulldog ants, M. gulosa and M. pyriformis, stings also have allergenic
properties, but the extent of cross-reactivity between the venoms of different species of
Myrmecia is not well known. Jumper and bulldog ants are found in sandy or mountainous areas.
Bulldog ants can be distinguishable from the jumper ant by their larger size and darker color.
Figure 122. Bulldog ant (Myrmecia sp.). Photo: source unknown.
Figure 123. Bulldog ant mandibles. Photo: Richard C. Russell.