The biggest ants in the world: top 8 dangerous large insects

Ant Camponotus gigas is the largest among its fellows. Females reach a length of 31-33 mm, working individuals up to 22 mm, soldiers - 28 mm. This species is found in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia. The body is painted black, the legs are yellow, the back of the body is red-brown. The family is very numerous, up to 8 thousand individuals, the underground part of the anthill occupies about a hectare of land. These large ants feed on fruits, seeds, carrion and excrement. They hunt at night and in groups of 10 individuals, the entrances to the dwelling are under constant guard, in case of an attack, they show aggression. Between families there are battles for housing, the fight goes on to the bitter end. The bites of these ants are painful, but the pain passes quickly, and there are no dangerous consequences for human health.

Dinoper giant or dinosaur ant is found in South America. Most colonies are found in the Amazonian forests of Brazil and the savannahs of Peru. These ants feed on fish, birds, insects, they attack the victim, bite it, drag it into the anthill and dismember it. Working specimens of the giant dinoper grow up to 33 mm. Their body is black, glossy, on the head there are powerful and sharp chelicerae. These ants have no sting or poison. Their families are not numerous, only a few dozen individuals, they do not have a female queen, there are males. Working females have sex organs and hormones so that every member of the family is able to produce offspring. But one of the females lays eggs and releases a special substance, pheromone, under the influence of which all individuals in the family obey her. Anthills are built at a depth of 40 cm.

The bullet ant or ant lives 24 hours in Central and South America. It got its name for very painful bites, one bite is equated in pain with bites of 20 wasps, the pain disappears in a day. Food for these ants is nectar, tree sap, small insects. Females reach 28-30 mm in length, males up to 25 mm, individuals are red-brown, brown or brown. A distinctive feature of this species are bright yellow stripes on the front legs. Males are slightly lighter than females. Families are small, up to 1000 individuals.

West African army ants Dorulus nigricans are one of the largest ants found on the African continent. Although worker ants are small, up to 3 mm in length, male roaming ants can reach a length of up to 30 mm, females during parking, during the period of mass oviposition, reach record sizes up to 50 mm. All ants are dark brown or black. Their families are very large, up to 22 million individuals. The sedentary and nomadic life of the colony lasts 2-3 weeks, during the settled period, the female lays eggs, larvae hatch from them, and at the same time adults appear from cocoons of the previous reproductive cycle. The larvae are fed, they pupate, and the colony wanders on. Worker ants carry cocoons. Soldiers guard the colony. They feed on termites, destroying termite mounds, other insects and carrion. African army ants are poisonous, but bites are not dangerous for humans.

The bulldog ant lives in Australia. The body of these ants is painted in bright colors: red, yellow, brown. Females reach 30 mm in length, males - 21 mm, working individuals up to 26 mm. They have powerful, sharp jaws and a venomous sting. Adult ants feed on juices, nectar, larvae feed on other insects or ants. Bulldog ants are very aggressive, they attack first, the poison is dangerous for animals and people. Even deaths are known after being stung by these ants. Bulldogs see well, move by jumping, swim, make loud sounds. They live up to 5 years.

The Myrmecia brevinoda ants are found in Australia and this ant species has been introduced by humans to New Zealand. Individuals of large sizes, females - 30 mm, males - 22 mm, worker ants grow up to 36 mm. The body is red-brown. Head large, large bulging eyes. There is a stinger at the end of the abdomen. Families consist of 2,5 thousand individuals and one queen. An anthill is built and plant residues and land. Worker ants differ in size, large individuals work on the surface, hunt, guard the entrances to the anthill and are engaged in the construction of its upper part. Small ones, their body length is 13 mm, they dig passages inside the anthill. The stings of this species of ants are painful, but the poison is not dangerous for humans, and there are no harmful effects on health.

The red-breasted wood borer ant is common in European countries, it is found on the territory of Russia, even in the Trans-Urals. The woodworm lives in coniferous and deciduous forests. Individuals are painted black, only the chest is black with a cherry tint. Females and males are black, they have wings, they fly out of the nest, and establish new colonies. They grow up to 20 mm, worker ants are much smaller. Ants settle in fallen trees, dry stumps. They gnaw through numerous passages in the wood. In this way, they can harm logging if they settle in folded tree trunks. The bites of carpenter ants are not dangerous to humans, they have neither poison nor sting.

The black wood borer ant, like its relative, the red-breasted ant, is found in European countries, in Russia, in Kazakhstan, in the Caucasus and even in Turkey. Their anthills are black ants on the edges of the forest, clearings, old clearings. The black carpenter ant is slightly smaller than its relative, males are up to 15 mm in length. Working individuals are small, up to 3 mm. Ants are black, the end of the abdomen is slightly lighter, the back of the body is covered with reddish hairs. Both females and males have wings and can fly. But this species of ants is very rare and is listed in the Red Book as an endangered species.