Myrmecia gulosa
The red bull ant from eastern Australia: large reddish hunters with long mandibles. For experienced keepers only.
Species at a glance
- Origin: eastern Australia
- Size: one of the largest bulldog ants, with workers over 2 cm
- Colony: up to 1,000 ants
- Difficulty: high, for experienced keepers only
Care conditions
- Temperature: 18–28 °C with a warm spot
- Humidity: 50–70%
- Food: live or freshly killed insects almost daily, as these hunters react to moving prey; an occasional drop of diluted honey
Hibernation
Needed: 2–3 months at about 15 °C with no protein food.
Farm and colony growth
The queen is semi-claustral: until the first workers appear she hunts herself, so she needs a small arena and small prey every 2–3 days. Workers have excellent eyesight and run fast, so use a double escape barrier and a closed arena.
Safety
Bulldog ants have a strong, painful sting, and in sensitive people a sting can cause a severe allergic reaction. Never handle the ants, use long forceps, and keep the farm away from children and pets. This species is not for people allergic to bee or wasp stings.