Myrmecia pyriformis
A large black night-active bulldog ant with orange-red mandibles and legs. It navigates by polarised skylight and landmarks.
Species at a glance
- Origin: south-eastern Australia, sandy and loamy soils
- Size: queen 25–30 mm; workers 20–27 mm
- Colony: up to 1,500 ants
- 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 in the evening, when the ants are active; diluted honey or syrup
Hibernation
Needed: in late autumn cool gradually to 12 °C and hold for 2–3 months with water but no 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.