Unique and Colorful Ants: To See Is To Believe

Ants are among the most common insects in the world. These tiny creatures evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago. There are 14,000 estimated species of ants today where 12,000 of these species have been classified. Ants are easily identified by their elbowed antennae and a distinctive node-like structure that forms a slender waist.

Weaver Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina)

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Weaver Ants are also called Green Tree Ants. The above photo is a Weaver Ant having shed its wings after a mating flight.

Green Tree Ant

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These arboreal ants can be found in Asia and Australia. They make nests in trees made of leaves stitched together using the silk produced by their larvae. Their color may be red or green. This species of ant is also called Green Ant and OrangeGaster.

Bullet Ant (Paraponera clavata)

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Why do they call this a Bullet Ant when it doesn’t look like a bullet at all? It was so-named for its powerful and potent sting, which is said to be as painful as being shot with a bullet. Bullet Ants are native to Central and South America. They are considered to have the most painful sting of any insect, although it is usually not fatal to humans. This ant is also commonly called “24 Hour Ant” from the 24 hours of pain that follow a stinging.

Flying Ants

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The picture above shows a pair of mating Flying Ants where you can easily see the enormous discrepancy on the size of the male ant compared to the female. The queen of the Flying ants has wings for one day only this is why it is also known as Flying Ant Day. Flying Ant Day orFlant Day is an informal term for a day on which queen ants emerge from the nest to begin their nuptial flight.

Gliding Ant (Cephalotes atratus)

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Cephalotes atratus is a tropical ant that looks like a juicy red berry. It is believed that the swelling of its abdomen is caused by infection from a parasitic roundworm. Based on researches, the parasites transform the gasters to trick foraging birds into eating the ants. Birds poop out parasite eggs, allowing the worms to spread to new ant colonies.

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The Cephalotes atratus ants can be found in the Central and South American forests.

Jerdon’s Jumping Ant (Harpegnathos saltator)

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Have you seen ants jump? Believe it or not but a Jerdon’s Jumping Ant can leap a few inches. This species of ant that can be found in India have long mandibles making them capable of jumping, hence the common name.

Kerengga Ant-like Jumper (Myrmarachne plataleoides)

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Looks are deceiving, so they say. Don’t be deceived by this insect. It is not an ant but a spider. Insects, like Karenga Ant-like Jumper, have the capability to mimic other species. Primary purpose of mimicry is to avoid predators. The Karenga Ant-like Jumper on the above photo is a female and mimics a Weaver Ant.

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The above and below photos are males. The males have long fangs that can be use for fighting. They can also split their jaws which are normally held close to unfold their fangs when required.

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The Kerengga Ant-like Jumper is a species of jumping spider that can be found in India, Sri Lanka, China and Southeast Asia.

Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile)

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The tiny dark Argentine ant is endemic to Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. It has been introduced to many places in the world. One of its many common names is Grease Ant.

Pharaoh Ants (Monomorium pharaonis)

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The almost transparent and very small Pharaoh Ant is only 2 mm long. It is believed that it originated in Africa and Indonesia. It has been introduced all over the world. It is yellow or light brown in color. It is a notorious ant known for being a major indoor nuisance pest.

Giant Bull Ant (Myrmecia nigriceps)

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Giant Bull Ant is a bulldog ant that is endemic to Australia. They feed on a variety of insects, spiders and also on the sap of gum trees. The ant on the photo is a queen ant.

Yellow Crazy Ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes)

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Yellow Crazy Ants were called as such for their erratic movements when disturbed. They are among the world’s largest invasive ant species. They are considered pest in Australia and in Christmas Island.

Red Bull Ant (Myrmecia gulosa)

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Another notable ant species from Australia is the Red Bull Ant, one of the world largest ant species. It can grow as long as 30 mm. This ant is uniquely colored - the head and thorax are red-brown; the rear half of the abdomen is black and the mandibles are brown-yellow. This ant’s sting is venomous causing severe pain for a couple of days. It is also commonly known as Giant Bull Ant orHoppy Joe.

Jack Jumper Ant (Myrmecia pilosula)

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The black or red and black Jack Jumper Ant of Australia has yellow or orange legs, antennae and mandibles. It can grow up to 12 mm long. It is also commonly called Hopper Ant, Jumper Ant or Jumping Jack.

Meat Ant (Iridomyrmex purpureus)

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Meat Ants can be found in Australia where they live in underground nests with about 64,000 workers. These nests are interconnected and can stretch up to 650 meters long. They are also known as Meat-eater Ants or Gravel Ants because they place sands and gravel on the entrance of their nest.

Honeypot Ants

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Honeypot Ants are very unique insects. They use their own bodies as living storage. These amazing species of ants use their bodies to store foods for other ants when foods are scarce. These ants are edible and in certain places, they are eaten by people as sweets and are considered a delicacy. They are also called Honey Ants or Repletes.

See also

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Leeches: Unique and Colorful Blood-Sucking Creatures

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