commonly known jumping jack genus species described colonies abundant eastern australia ants species known ability jump inches powerful sting foraging ground prefer forage trees known certain flowers large species workers grow length distinctive pattern orange red black distinguishes species possess gene allows workers reproduce presence queen colony queen missing life worker year known ants species workers colony aggressive attacking distribution abundant eastern australia ants prefer temperate usually located dry semi dry forests woodlands species found eastern states australia coastal plains suitable dry forest habitat found prefer tropical climates warm temperatures found types habitat elevations ranging metres colonies recorded brisbane range queensland new_south_wales occurs sydney notably suburbs victoria found colonies recorded south_australia taxonomy identified british workers collected described work catalogue insects collection study phylogenetic relationships species group genus species including found form basal species lacking shown supported type specimen located description ants genus generally referred bulldog ants like species genus elongated ants primarily black orange red colour black yellow depending ants found head legs black post red linear ridges head spurs middle leg hind leg legs thin slender away body distinguished species genus coloured post yellowish red black yellowish red workers millimetres long males millimetres female queen millimetres development queen wings rudimentary reduced wings render queen behaviour ecology accomplished leaps ranging inches good vision observed running plants leaves occasionally jumping branch found foraging plants trees vegetation ground jumps sudden extension middle hind legs ants feed insects including spiders honey water observed prey larvae imperial butterflies jumping carrying predators genus includes spiders birds mammals predatory invertebrates including assassin bugs ants recorded visiting flowers considered possible trees self compatible inability appropriately release restrict capacity effect ants live nests sandy soil mound resembles ants labor conceal nests twigs leaves depending type habitat colony located nest plant material gravel materials camouflage colonies include dry leaves rocks vegetation twigs nests grass bush base tree colonies ants queen colony queen semi meaning founding new colony queen forage food raise brood colonies individuals considered large colonies known species ants worker scout ants use communication quick defend nests react aggressively shadow crossing nest describes reaction disturbance nest bound small mound nest series short like cavalry battle ants aggressively defend colony causing multiple bites sacrificing protect queen colony life cycle species allows female workers fertile able reproduce colonies queen colonies means colony loses queen thrive absence queen laboratory colonies queen present worker laid eggs mature males showing workers highly fertile average life adult worker years maximum years days larvae collected length increase matured venom ants highly painful produce intense burning days sting left sting develop venom closely related species strongest contains active ingredients acid australian venom study objective determine native australian ants associated sting shown participants taking study reacted sting species reacted ants study concluded main groups australian ants responsible causing species included green head
Myrmecia nigrocincta