Wood~Ant
Myrmecology Mentor
Ant Hunter
Posts: 8,888
Country: Ant Hill Wood, Sussex, England
Pets: 3 Canaries, 1 dog and 1 wife
Favourite Ant: Formica rufa
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Post by Wood~Ant on Mar 16, 2010 9:53:28 GMT 1
I saw this photo posted on Facebook by James C. Trager, better known to most of us as Doctor Ant, as he is a reknowned Entomologist and ant expert. Winged female of the "bala" or bullet ant, Paraponera clavata If she isn't the biggest ant in the world (as I think Dorylus [African Driver Ant] queens are larger), then she's certainly a good contender  |
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Zarbi
Formica Forager
I'm a giant alien ant from Doctor Who
Posts: 658
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Post by Zarbi on Mar 16, 2010 10:27:32 GMT 1
She certainly is one big mother, or will be once she has mated as she is still winged. I hope Dr Ant will post more photos like this here  |
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Caydenn
Worker Ant 
Posts: 248
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Post by Caydenn on Mar 17, 2010 10:27:52 GMT 1
Wood you are perfectly correct there the driver ant alate of Africa is the worlds largest ant  |
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Quah
Photography Specialist 
Outstanding Ant Photographer
Posts: 222
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Post by Quah on Mar 19, 2010 6:47:46 GMT 1
Will anyone here be able to confirm these (on sizes of ant workers)?: 1. The largest "documented" ant species (worker size) is Dinoponera longipipes at around 30mm. 2. Bullet ants are around 25mm. 3. Bull ants are from 15 to 25mm though a Wikipedia entry has it at over 40mm. Personally I have measured the minor worker of Camponotus gigas at 25mm (see my photo album in spaces.live.com) and the largest major worker at 38 or was it 35mm (can't remember). But the attached photo might give an indication. Attachments:
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