Myrmecia pilosula
The jack jumper ant from south-eastern Australia. Small for a bulldog ant, but its sting is dangerous to allergic people.
Species at a glance
- Origin: south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania
- Size: queen 10–14 mm; workers 8–12 mm
- Colony: up to 1,000 ants, usually a few hundred in captivity
- Difficulty: intermediate, for keepers with some experience
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: 3–4 months at about 12 °C every year.
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, run fast and jump, so use a double escape barrier and a closed arena.
Safety
In Australia, stings from this species are a well-known cause of anaphylaxis. 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.