Myrmecia aberrans

[Mark Newton]

Myrmecia aberrans is one of the most (if not the most) aberrant examples of Myrmecia we have in Australia and most fortuitously I have them living on my property in South Australia. They are different to most Myrmecia in their stout stature, smallish - like 'jack jumpers', although a little bigger, but far more robust with short stocky jaws. They appear to live in very small colonies, possibly with less than 20 workers with a very inconspicuous burrow entrance that they block at night. I am now keeping track of this colony in order to learn more of their biology as at this stage nothing is known.

[Wood~Ant]

I love the chestnut brown colouration on this ant. Nothing quite like it in Britain except for our wood ants, which although more of a dull orange and brown, they are the closest ant we have which is a 2 toned colour.
Thanks for posting these great photos.

[Jenny]

Brilliant photos Mark, you are lucky to have them on your doorstep 

[Mark Newton]

I purchased this property due to its location (ie biodiversity)....rough living (off grid - entirely sunlight energy), nothing at all flash, quite the opposite, but suits me. The South Australian northern mallee is an incredibly biodiverse area. A reserve not far from me, only about 160km away has shown 250 species of ant with another 100 species in surrounding areas....amazing biodiversity...just what I love.

[Black Ant]

Nice looking ant, shame we have nothing like this here in the UK, although Wood did have something similar which was this ant here.