Ants bulldogs: aggressive insects with a complex character
Many people know what ants look like. These are small insects that constantly drag something into the anthill, often this load is larger than themselves. Neither the ants themselves nor their bites are dangerous to humans. But ants live in Australia, a meeting with which can end sadly - these are bulldog ants with powerful jaws and a dangerous sting.
Content
What does an ant bulldog look like: photo
Description of Bulldog Ant
Name: Ant Bulldog
Latin: MyrmeciaClass: Insects - Insecta
Squad: Hymenoptera - Hymenoptera
Family: Ants - Formicidae
 | Habitats: | Australian residents |
 | Dangerous for: | animals, insects |
 | Means of destruction: | people are not regulated |
The bulldog ant is a dangerous enemy.
Bulldog ants look like large wasps that do not have wings. Their body is 20-30 mm long, has a bright color, black color is combined with orange, red, brown, there are completely black individuals.
On the head are long, multi-toothed mandibles. They are of different lengths, the structure is such that the capture "tightly" occurs, because it is impossible to get out of such jagged.
Large eyes are in front of the head. Females have wings, working individuals are large in size.
Ants have a sting, it is without notches, and after stinging, the bulldog pulls it back, he uses it repeatedly. Its poison is dangerous for animals and humans.
Habitat
Bulldogs are one of the most dangerous ants that live in Australia. They are also called "lion ants", "bull ants", "leapers", "soldier ants". There are about 90 types of them. Their poison is dangerous, after the ant stings, the pain can last for several days, some people may develop anaphylactic shock. In rare cases, it leads to death.
Reproduction
A sexually mature female is impregnated by only one male, who wins the honor of fertilization among many. But he soon dies. But all her life, the female stores the sperm of one male in the cavities and will be fertilized with it.
The ancestor, after fertilization, sheds her wings and looks for a place to lay eggs. Usually these are rotten stumps and snags. For the first 2 years, the female breeds only working individuals that develop the colony.
Lifestyle features
The family of bulldog ants consists of a queen and workers, there are about a thousand individuals in it.
| Character | These ants are very aggressive, when someone approaches their home, they immediately attack. Their attacks are dangerous for both animals and humans. |
| dimensions | Working individuals differ in size, they can be from 16 mm to 36 mm in length. Large worker ants are on the surface of the anthill, they prepare food, carry out construction work and guard the entrance. |
| small insects | Small ones are in the lower part, they take care of their offspring and dig new passages. Their dwellings are distinguished by great depth, for the full development of the larvae, wet soil is needed. |
| Adults | Adult ants feed on plant juices and nectar, the larvae feed on insects, bees or wasps, or their other tribesmen. |
| Bulldog hunting | With powerful jaws, the bulldog holds its prey, bending, sticks a sting into it, and then pulls it back. He has good eyesight, he sees his prey from a distance of up to 1 meter. |
| Features | The bulldog moves by jumping. He also swims well and makes loud noises. These animals are incredibly hardworking and strong. |
Interesting Facts
- Bulldog ants differ in habits from their other relatives, they move by jumping, make sounds, sting.
- If a bulldog is cut in half, then the head tries to grab its tail, and the tail tries to protect itself.
- Ants are very aggressive and attack adult spiders and wasps, and in most cases they win.
- One adult ant is capable of carrying 50 times its own weight.
- To protect yourself from the attacks of bulldog ants, you need to wear closed shoes, these insects can burn through the fabric.
Conclusion
Bulldog ants inhabiting the Australian coast are very aggressive, they attack their prey and sting it. For humans, the poison of these insects is dangerous, after stinging the pain lasts for several days, some people develop allergies or anaphylactic shock. Therefore, in the habitats of bulldogs, you need to wear closed shoes.
Previous