meat meat known gravel southern meat species endemic australia member genus subfamily described british meat associated common names appearance nest building behaviour abundance specific refers coloured appearance best known species found australia occurs states territories tasmania enormous distribution aggression ecological importance dominant species meat occurs particular form evidence certain populations characterised dark bluish body red head medium large species measuring workers males approximately sizes respectively queens largest appear black measuring workers ranges green blue plain green purple varying different body parts meat ants inhabit open warm areas large oval shaped accompanied entrance holes nest area cleared vegetation covered materials including gravel dead vegetation colony established series satellite nests connected defined paths trails satellite nests constructed away main nest nearby areas valuable food sources workers exploit queens mate single male colonies queen workers arrive exhibit takes months individual egg develop adult colonies range size varying individuals meat species active day especially warm trees collect sweet substances capture insects collect remains animals number predators eat ants including short numerous species birds spiders species competitor banded sugar meat ants establish territorial borders neighbouring colonies solve disputes fighting meat ants play important role environment humans single nest capable plant seeds meat ants formed relationships insects form pest control kill cane invasive species help farmers remove animal consuming reducing bones matter weeks despite meat ants urban areas difficult taxonomy meat described british catalogue insects collection british museum worker collected melbourne victoria type material currently housed london austrian erected genus reclassified meat member genus named renamed year later classified synonym taxon designated type species grouped species complex described separate species smith year queens collected new_south_wales authors reused adopted authors replacing 1960s preferred names described year publication valid species accordance international code nomenclature person revise species synonyms classified separate species meat subspecies classified subspecies previously recognised species originally described variant meat var taxon reclassified subspecies subsequently revision reclassified species level based morphological examinations collected material described distinct species different genera classifications short lived scientists discovered taxa identical subsequently meat described english worker queen collected australian reviewed specimens taxon meat queen later found distinct workers species information provided clark makes sufficient retain validity making clark new author uncertain taxonomic status clark proposal species carried clark currently junior synonym described separate species meat based differences head dorsal portion plates colour meat head usually lighter american notes ants non exist geographic area regularly encounter supporting evidence separate distinct species emerged examined results different examinations account distinction colour populations previously known example colonies residing western_australia lighter heads living eastern states darker heads unpublished study examining mitochondrial dna find distinction eastern western populations additional evidence suggests populations found east west species despite evidence problems forms intended found study noted ants indistinguishable populations nests contained single nest hole nests collected workers specimens western australia collecting forms subject study future research shed light ants genetically different meat present classification meat member genus tribe subfamily member family belonging order order insects containing ants bees genus sister group clade million years old fossils related meat species forms early 1970s scientists discovered different forms ants forming species group forms identified regular forms differing colour nest structure clear morphological differences variations taxonomic status evolutionary relationship ants remained uncertain varies ants red head blue metallic yellowish body bluish purple darker appearing metallic bluish black owing different geographical ranges behaviour ecology forms differentiated based examinations multiple forms form geographical limit regular form common inhabiting australian continent forms dominant certain habitats example form widespread moist environments dry areas cool dry areas classified subspecies meat recognised form blue form studied years earlier propose taxonomic recognition newly discovered taxon instead referred form study examined forms comparing frequencies blue form found genetically isolated frequencies differed significantly forms study concluded forms similar time continue study forms include dark yellow yellow orange small purple form addition new forms recognised later studies forms given formal species description instead recognised colour males forms likely represented distinct species species group contained single valid species subspecies seven different forms known forms subspecies revived classified species level article group concluding separation forms etymology common names specific epithet meat derives latin means purple purple coloured dark red referencing coloured appearance classical latin primarily translated dyed purple word smith meat translates dyed cloth generic translates rainbow ants reference points appearance particular blue green colour compound ancient greek words meaning rainbow means commonly known meat habit stripping meat dead alternative names include gravel meat meat mound southern meat southern meat extreme abundance southern regions australia description general meat ants medium large size measuring easily recognised dark bluish body red head generally heads share similar colours lighter middle segments abdominal segment reddish brown head lighter share similar colours found dark translucent compound eyes lateral portion head ranges slightly purple strong dark purple colour legs basal segment insect leg body darker narrow waist reddish brown darker lateral portion second dorsal segment head shiny varies workers green blue plain green purple soft hairs head frequent margin pale usually seen soft hairs common examined specimens known erect abundant meaning portion arched flat differences workers average workers measure character distinguishes ants queens different variety colours exhibit bodies head range orange brick red light colour darker head brown black blue purple legs orange brown blue pink pale greenish yellow purple erect brown head concave posterior margin end organism head erect abundant face sides head convex fully erect region head present absent small number seen eyes positioned ants head capsule frontal keel shaped ridge structure convex extend head posterior margin times diameter erect found noticeably prominent margin shield like plate insect elongated triangular long curved head capsule evenly curved present short meaning curves like small smooth convex number segment thin scale like vertical non marginal marginal present queens easily distinguishable workers black colour larger size measuring queens black dark antennae legs like colour head sides beneath face head wider impressed line runs anterior nearer body base oval shaped outline covered short reddish brown soft short hair wings exhibiting appearance wings yellowish anterior margin superior pair base veins wings like abdomen abdominal segments appear making reddish brown glossy brownish black males smaller queens measuring males bright violet antennae joint pair legs look head legs covered black like queen wings hyaline abdomen shows bright green seen certain light larvae measure body stout shaped dorsal longer ventral portion body shorter straight head ventral covered isolated short rows posterior ventral surface body hairs short measuring dorsal outlines curve smooth moderately large isolated seen near parallel rows head hairs present small length narrow consisting lobe simple sensory anterior surface ventral border number posterior surface rows central plate body tooth clearly noticeable sharp sensory structures shaped meat workers confused appear similar grouped species complex distinguished members group shape aside colour key morphological character distinguish synonym meat populations exhibit despite occurs particular form specifically body size meat ants vary geographically example found hot regions tend larger found regions high humidity tend smaller average examined workers referred southwestern western_australia erect lateral studied meaning areas hairs patterns likely characteristics gradually differentiate geographical area colour body vary geographically example populations restricted coasts western_australia usually pale compared colonies country common separate populations pale key traits separate populations considered meat ants western australian different collected specimens ranged pale greenish blue yellowish green especially structure forms basal corner insect wing wing case variation consistent pattern found species little distinction making subtle character colour variation marked collected specimens close relative found dry regions south western regions notes populations found south_australia reduced different distribution habitat meat best known species endemic australia enormous geographical range covering continent range spans kilometres east west kilometres north south extensive range allowed meat form large nesting grounds areas development occurred large amounts gravel open space led abundant supply materials dead pieces vegetation construct nests isolation allowed meat ants form associations neighbouring nests species particularly dominant frequently seen coastal inland regions southeastern australia based examined material meat ants widespread new_south_wales australian capital territory victoria queensland frequently encountered eastern regions abundance limited north central parts ants common southwestern regions western_australia north states presence state verified specimens collected south_australia south east populations known north west northeast regions state specimens collected north south regions compared jurisdictions uncommon specimens collected tasmania outlying islands surrounding australia meat ants thrive varied habitats especially open warm ants adapted thrive warm climates areas constant high temperatures meat shares distribution animals insects cause harm rival banded sugar nests seen box pine forests dry wet woodland open woodland farm flat savannah woodland woodland heath woodland roads cracks urban areas urban gardens nests common ridges granite clay formations meat ants able survive dry areas rich supply water food resources prey especially river banks station properties areas meat ants typically occur altitudes sea level times found heights found altitudes associated colonies situated eastern new_south_wales tend nest near south coast new_south_wales meat ants mainly found heath absent heavily slopes build nests areas ants occur include dense dense bushes tropical areas example canberra suburb turner constructed subterranean pasture meat ants nest populations later flourish nests numerous houses shrubs trees planted nests meat ants known large oval shaped nest normally metres diameter encountered areas occurrence obvious identify nests associated entrance holes nests holes surface nest workers clear area vegetation cover mound gravel use materials available including sand dead vegetation fruits fragments nests built sun hardly shade warm species meaning live nest colonies known create super nests workers construct nests connected established paths extending metres length extreme case single colony found occupy hectares acres land individual nests entrance holes aggression nest mates meat ants aggressive occupants different nests colony colony typically favoured improves access forage workers deliver food nest closest site forage size meat nest possibility dying year site colony nests old suggested study nests unknown reasons vegetation shades nest soil damage disease colony leave nest site completely abandoned death colony obvious competing colonies increase population size expanding territories established satellite nests order exploit food sources colony satellite nests parent nests independent suggested worker ants different nests treatment nest satellite nests emerge nearby connections parent nest separation satellite nest effective way nest exploit food sources colony entrance holes recognised non mature nest mature satellite nests holes accept queen satellite nest easily develop maturity year entrance holes given nest lead separate set galleries entrance holes tend small space single worker fit wide beneath surface widened circular vertical shafts centimetres wide shafts tunnels turn irregular galleries paths going outward downward form galleries galleries centimetres beneath soil extensively reworked worker ants area nest sets galleries isolated connecting neighbouring holes come close known physical connection gallery flat floor roof irregularly oval shaped gallery typically centimetres high centimetres wide galleries small number shafts soil large scattered chambers population remains winter upper areas colony galleries shafts account nest space example galleries excavated colonies occupy cubic centimetres total volume cubic centimetres overall nest extremely deep beneath soil excavated nests deep metres behaviour ecology foraging dominance species active mainly day meat shows minimal interaction nocturnal species territories overlap meat members species group regarded dominant group species australia highly active aggressive enormous geographical range day bulk workers attend feed insects live leaves trees trees connected foraging trails formed meat ants connect satellite nests single colony trails easily visible absence vegetation lead important food water sources workers smaller numbers nest area dead insects foods bring colony dominance clear meat ants capable finding food sources successfully ants capable displacing ants insects food sources discovered rapidly greatly reduces foraging efficiency ants including ants green head affected presence meat ants successful finding food sources green head ants general predators forage recruit unable defend food sources dominant ants heavily rely food source successfully defending ants led peaceful dominant species including meat ants means green head ants avoid conflict meat ants certain highly competitive capable defending foraging workers rapid recruitment use chemicals defence allows withstand attacks meat ants particular ants observed occupying regardless presence absence meat case moderate success honey foraging areas meat ants excluded present number ants observed far greater activity dramatically increases presence ants affect abundant species time ants increase foraging rate impact meat ants species varies depending habitat type food source ecological role plays deliberate exclusion meat ants alter sources available dynamics resource use entire present meat ants rely rapidly discovering food sources retain dominance ants collect exploitation interference helps displace ants habitat meat ants live affect dominance fauna successful complex habitats successful open areas allowing workers forage efficiently example workers forage rocks collect food sources successfully contrast vegetation meat ants dominant species group members non complex habitats meat ants normally larger species displace kill trying compete food sources similar meat ants certain species increased level conflict especially open habitats rate movement workers associated temperature foraging workers leave nest sunrise nest warmed early morning meat ants emerge start foraging temperatures approximately capable extremely hot temperatures workers seen foraging heat workers forage minutes soil temperature thermal limit soil surface temperature foraging activity reduced ants exhibit high running speeds hot days speed decreases temperatures stress workers withstand temperatures exhibiting thermal responses adjust behaviour order handle high trail temperatures alter thermal biology low temperatures deliberately expose closely thermal success meat ants depends resource dealing study removal meat ants allowed successful foraging ants sources protein success ants increase suggesting competition occur meat ants species factors food preference involved contrast success affected numerous food sources meat ants present exhibit aggression defend diet like species meat food sources insects tends including sorts butterflies particularly larvae meat ants usually feed insects flower sugar sweet substances captive colonies workers prefer consume small pieces honey solutions sweet foods ants prey insects animals collecting live dead invertebrates acquire meat dead insects meat ants prey include giant trees kill butterfly indian western australian larvae wasp large developed larvae butterfly attacked effectively meat workers species sandy beaches species observed worm causing high mortality rates rates percent ants feed number dead alive animals including snakes birds occasions workers found dead meat known australia feeds fresh collection nearby meat colony shows nature species observations trails workers groups found collecting active bat abandoned proceeded return nest collection australian colony recorded prior observations unknown meat ants collect fresh meat ants native species australia harmed cane invasive species time foraging workers target observations workers forage ponds seize normally starts single worker making contact individual tracing movements followed workers capturing participating ants grab limb legs returning prey item nest time tactics work example able escape ants displaying like behaviour individual escape struggling forcing ants release grip returning water behaviour leads remaining water staying objects water pieces bark ants access moving moist unknown meat predation affected population based population density studied site foraging time efficiency approximately removed day population density extremely high impact meat predation minor affected ants prevent foraging areas moist substrate water important resource colonies living dry arid environments available counter workers able extract significant water sand water content soil meat ants unable retrieve water soil sand able attain greater water soil contains wide variety particles including clay coarse sand causes water bound firmly ants retrieve digging directly suck soil low cost evolved response based tested ants observations meat ants meat ants known dig moist soil gain access water water site nearby nest far away predators despite dominance ants number animals known prey meat ants short prominent predator meat high fat levels virgin queens queens contain fat queens available attack stop attacking nest ants normally consumed low numbers avoided entirely attacking hole consume handling bites ants frequently scratch head chest consume meat ants year instead attack meat nests august october flight meaning virgin queens males emerge mate occurs time period makes easier prey winged females directly nest despite attacks colony growth affected birds prey meat ants masked white gather meat nests catching ants eating pieces meat ants found red capped robin robin red meat ants forage trees eaten large ground feeding birds dig newly established colonies queen found suitable spot nest small excavated soil present spots revealing queens presence birds result queens consumed birds leaving abandoned nest chambers blind snake follow trails laid meat ants locate snakes known feed brood species spiders prefer prey meat ants mainly attracted alarm ants release spider particular spider specialist predator ants uses alarm released territorial disputes locate alarm signals created body longitudinal axis released encounters nest mate feed meat larvae parasites meat colonies complete development proceed consume brood females lay eggs near trails close tended ants observations larvae meat nests beetles live near nests meat ants larvae capture prey workers passing larvae able fluid meat getting attacked depending walk away clean fatally affected dragon sit wait predator consume meat ants eat ants usually reject species life cycle reproduction flight usually occurs spring october reproductive females mate single male begin establishing colonies flight occurs rain males emerge nest followed virgin queens groups females emerge males flown away reproductive males females position nest order heat fly time warm process happen multiple times weather changed queens return nest flight continue days virgin queens withdrawn nest time single queen start colony lay eggs days fully develop emerge adults colonies founded multiple queens adoption existing colony called colony including queens workers brood eggs larvae leave main colony alternative nest site queens queen colony foundation queens killed colony founding major aspects include predation birds ants species fact attempt establish nests near large colonies queens successful assistance neighbouring workers help queen dig chambers causes queen deaths include disease starvation queen weeks mature lays eggs develop larvae month workers observed laying eggs presumably eggs function eggs reproduction number individuals colony varies mature nest years old hold ants colonies house cases enormous colonies million ants observed colonies known contain nearly larvae workers males virgin queens virgin queens males ratio worker ants number larvae colonies ranges worker larvae larvae worker population nest affected altered factors human interference severely damage completely destroy nests potentially nest population main cause nest demise neighbouring nests increase population damaged abandoned sites taken meat ants rely nests withstand climatic stress summer winter foraging activity food sources limited summer winter plant growth impossible workers unable survive cold temperatures result meat ants process organisms wait winter season cold conditions making everyday activity impossible populations affected greatly colonies meaning colony single queen based observations nests contain single queen nests known contain queens having single colony making high proportion queens living nests unrelated colonies means multiple queens present colony tolerated workers different queens treated equally tolerance occurs new reproductive females males born recognition based queens workers known brood discrimination larvae fed queens care brood neglect look laid queens queens hand cooperate nest founding antagonistic workers present colony queens colony grows eventually separate nest resulting queen laying eggs cases usually happen founding occurs queen adopted colony setting aggressive relationships physical fights queens colony rare meat colonies rarely second queen associated frequently associated colonies reproduce means ecological factors promote differ studies meat ants produced single queen high level tested colonies colonies closely related result colony fusion meaning unrelated separate colonies form single entity meat ants nest fidelity colonies workers different nests different nests return nest originate instead return nest enclosed means colonies brood transfer discussed different nests aggressive number factors genetic spatial distance nests level aggression exhibited ants exhibit aggression ants different species adjoining territories aggressive ants distant colonies suggesting environmental cues play vital role recognition example background particular environment ants identifying need attempts determine identity fighting meat ants highly territorial aggressive ants establish firm borders neighbouring colonies boundaries physical worker ants maintain engaging fighting opponent ants interaction colonies engage fatalities rare sides fights cause injuries workers fighting enables territory contested opposing colonies killing costing casualties sides method avoiding casualties promotes communication assessment drainage work force occur boundaries acted conflict zone fighting place lethal fighting occurs colony attack encounters workers seconds fighting occurs worker ants come contact ants colony break contact groom walk contact meat foreign worker intense act touching antennae stretch upward appear taller larger suggesting meat ants display size matching workers perform behaviour known leg boxing workers legs sweeping joint motion motion aimed fight going seconds average point determine loser winner lost ritual fight lower body lean sideways victorious victorious remain raised upward reach worker open wider opponent shake head slightly moments fight continue worker backs commence posture ants circle present directed opponent occasions ants kick outward legs eventually break contact groom reached continue search relationship organisms meat ants observed blocking banded sugar nesting holes soil prevent leaving nest early hours day banded sugar ants counter preventing meat ants leaving nest blocking nesting holes debris behaviour known nest meat nests trees shade banded sugar ants invade nest health colony deteriorate members affected meat colony later nearby satellite nest placed suitable area invading banded sugar ants fill nest galleries black material meat ants attract cats chemicals meat ants generally insects organisms share positive associations ants living colonies larvae known colonies larvae prey workers discussed earlier live nest unused abandoned areas inside colonies occupied species ants cases meat ants deliberately destroy colonies competition intensify meat ants play important role seed dispersal meat colony capable individual bush seeds shows strong seed relationship relationship humans meat ants able kill poisonous cane introduced pest usually kill cane predators affect meat ants scientists australia considered meat ants form pest control reduce cane population way establishing meat nests habitats cane numbers high rural australia meat ants important farmers place animal nests rid matter weeks entire consumed reduced bones meat ants aggression workers pour entrance holes attack human animal nest despite beneficial importance humans meat ants considered ants disturbing soil urban areas entering human houses occasionally feed food nests cause annoyance built gravel paths tennis courts cleared spaces meat ants enter houses occasionally adapted populations flourish urban areas early days city canberra newly constructed suburbs provided new nest sites meat ants streets gravel paths new sites meat ants nest making commonly encountered pose considerable pest abundance food supplies parks plantations home gardens attracted meat ants urban areas pose problem citrus eastern australia affect biological control insects specifically produce meat ants sting induce irritating bites defensive fluid end abdomen meat ants reported causing mortality attempted methods meat ants proven unsuccessful investigations 1930s control meat populations urban areas carbon calcium methods successfully nests rapidly living satellite rival nests nests colonies young colonies beginning develop occur colony founding difficult rare areas mature colonies behaviour led long term maintenance repeated treatments ensure nests addition nests treated remain pest controllers notes poor penetration nest galleries reason nests owing nest structure poured individual hole gallery connects missing single gallery lead nest site concludes effective control meat ants capable killing ants quickly long lasting chemical difficulty meat ants led studies studies studied effects meat colonies bait containing effectively reduced number workers foraging effective bait placed citrus trees bait recent study identify effective method meat ants results showed bait failed reduce populations significantly evidence active declined effect temporary colonies having bait insufficient eliminate nests effect dramatic extra bait cited literature common australia victoria isbn wilson ants cambridge massachusetts isbn advances 1st netherlands isbn
Meat ant