Myrmecia is a genus of ants first established by Danish zoologist Johan Christian Fabricius in 1804. The genus is a member of the subfamily Myrmeciinae of the family Formicidae. Myrmecia is a large genus of ants, comprising at least 93 species that are found throughout Australia and its coastal islands, while a single species is only known from New Caledonia. One species has been introduced out of its natural distribution and was found in New Zealand in 1940, but the ant was last seen in 1981. These ants are commonly known as bull ants, bulldog ants or jack jumper ants, and are also associated with many other common names. They are characterized by their extreme aggressiveness, ferocity, and painful stings. Some species are known for the jumping behavior they exhibit when agitated.
The jack jumper ant, also known as the jack jumper, jumping jack, hopper ant, or jumper ant, is a species of venomous ant native to Australia. Most frequently found in Tasmania and southeast mainland Australia, it is a member of the genus Myrmecia, subfamily Myrmeciinae, and was formally described and named by British entomologist Frederick Smith in 1858. This species is known for its ability to jump long distances. These ants are large; workers and males are about the same size: 12 to 14 mm for workers, and 11 to 12 mm for males. The queen measures roughly 14 to 16 mm long and is similar in appearance to workers, whereas males are identifiable by their perceptibly smaller mandibles.
Myrmecia forficata, commonly known as the inchman ant, is a species of bull ant that is native to Australia. The ants are recorded in the south eastern part of the country, but are most common in the Australian Alps at elevations above 300m but can be found down to sea level around Melbourne and in Tasmania.
Myrmecia gulosa, the red bull ant, also known as the giant bull ant or "hoppy joe", is a species of bulldog ant from the genus Myrmecia. It is abundant throughout Eastern Australia.
Myrmecia esuriens, also known as Tasmanian inchman, is a species of bulldog ant native to Tasmania.
Myrmecia pyriformis, also known as the bull ant or inch ant, is an Australian ant. Myrmecia pyriformis belongs to the genus Myrmecia. It is abundant in many major cities of Australia, but mostly spotted in the eastern states. The species is of a similar appearance to the Myrmecia forficata.
Myrmecia loweryi is a species of the giant bull ant which is abundant to Australia. Myrmecia loweryi is one of the latest species of bull ant to be described, which was back in 1991 by Ogata & Taylor. They are mostly located around New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Myrmecia nigrocincta, commonly known as the jumper ant or jumping jack, is an ant of the genus Myrmecia. The species was first described by Frederick Smith in 1858. Colonies of this ant are abundant in eastern Australia. Ants of this species are known for their ability to jump up to 10 centimetres, and they also have a powerful, venomous sting. Rather than foraging on the ground, M. nigrocincta prefer to forage in trees where they are known to pollinate certain flowers.
Myrmecia fulvipes is a bull ant belonging the genus Myrmecia. Native to Australia, these bull ants are found in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.
Myrmecia browningi is an Australian bull ant species, a part of the genus Myrmecia. They are endemic to Australia and have primarily only been seen in South Australia.
Myrmecia fabricii is an Australian ant in the genus Myrmecia native to Australia, with specimens mainly found in the state of Queensland. It was described by Ogata and Taylor in 1991.
Myrmecia minuscula is an Australian ant which belongs to the genus Myrmecia. This species is native to Australia. They are distributed in the state of Queensland. They were described by Forel in 1915.
Myrmecia piliventris, the golden tail bull ant, is an Australian ant which belongs to the genus Myrmecia. This species is native to Australia. The Myrmecia piliventris is distributed Australia wide, but they're not too common in the western regions of Australia.
Myrmecia erecta is an Australian bull ant species, a part of the genus Myrmecia. They are endemic to Australia. They are mainly distributed in South Australia and the surrounding areas of the state.
Myrmecia banksi is a species of ant in the genus Myrmecia. Described by Robert Taylor in 2015, the species is endemic to Australia in New South Wales, where it is normally found on low elevations along coastal regions.
Myrmecia haskinsorum is a species of ant in the genus Myrmecia. Described by Robert Taylor in 2015, the species is endemic to Australia where it is known from areas that have high elevations, although some records show the ant lives in low elevated areas in Tasmania
Myrmecia imaii is a species of ant in the genus Myrmecia. Described by Robert Taylor in 2015, the species is endemic to Australia in Western Australia, particularly in very south-western areas.
Myrmecia impaternata is a species of gynogenetic, female-only ant in the genus Myrmecia. Described by Robert Taylor in 2015, the species is endemic to Australia and is common in Canberra and around Armidale. Observations of the species have been confirmed in Queensland.
Jack jumper ant, Myrmecia pilosula, an Australian ant
