Myrmecia forficata
| Myrmecia forficata | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmeciinae |
| Genus: | Myrmecia |
| Species: | M. forficata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Myrmecia forficata (Fabricius,1787)
| |
Myrmecia forficata,commonly known as theinchmanant, is a species ofbull antthat is native to Australia.[1]The ants are recorded in the south eastern part of the country, but are most common in theAustralian Alpsat elevations above 300m but can be found down to sea level aroundMelbourneand inTasmania.[2]
The inchman is the most venomous of the bulldog ants, ranging from about 15 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1.0 in) long, but less aggressive than theJack jumper ant.These ants are purplish-brown, with a black abdomen. Their large size gave them their name, although most are slightly smaller than the traditional inch (25.4 mm). Their nests may be inconspicuously hidden under a rock or in a small hole.[citation needed]
As with many species of bulldog ants, the inchman are usually solitary when they forage, though they live in colonies like most ants. Inchman are carnivores and scavengers. They sting their victims with venom analogous tostingsofwasps,bees,andfire ants.Theirvenomis some of the most powerful in the insect world. The reputation for being the most venomous ant is possibly due to the tendency of the toxin to induceanaphylaxiswhich can be fatal in some people.[citation needed]
The symptoms of the stings of the ants are similar to stings of thefire ants.The reaction is local;swelling,reddeningand fever, followed by formation of ablister.The heart rate increases, and blood pressure falls rapidly. In about 3% of cases, the sting causesanaphylaxis.Treatment is very similar towaspandbeestings.[3][4]
References
[edit]- ^"Myrmecia forficata".antweb.org.Retrieved17 May2019.
- ^Brown, W L Jr (1953)."Revisionary notes on the ant genus Myrmecia of Australia".Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College.111:1–35 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^Brown, Simon G. A.; Eeden, Pauline van; Wiese, Michael D.; Mullins, Raymond J.; Solley, Graham O.; Puy, Robert; Taylor, Robert W.; Heddle, Robert J. (1 July 2011)."Causes of ant sting anaphylaxis in Australia: the Australian Ant Venom Allergy Study"(PDF).The Medical Journal of Australia.195(2):69–73.doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2011.tb03209.x.PMID21770873.
- ^Lewis, Janet C.; de la Lande, I.S. (February 1967). "Pharmacological and enzymic constituents of the venom of an Australian 'bulldog' and Myrmecia pyriformis".Toxicon.4(4):225–234.doi:10.1016/0041-0101(67)90049-9.PMID5629902.
External links
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Media related toMyrmecia forficataat Wikimedia Commons
