Bulldog Ants — insects with attitude
It’s hard to forget an encounter with these ants. Especially if they sting you. They are big, aggressive and fast. And they live throughout Australia
The impressive mandibles of the Bulldog Ant form only one part of the weaponry of these insects
Bulldog ants, also known as Bull Ants, are a group of large, primitive ants. I must admit that I don’t much like these ants, but I do admire and certainly respect them.
Photos above: Bulldog Ant
The stinger on the Bulldog Ant injects venom
The almost non-existent barbs on the Bulldog Ant stinger are insufficient to keep the sting planted into its victim, so the Bulldog Ant is able to withdraw it and use it multiple times
A Bulldog Ant nest mound. While the nest is underground, the entrance is often revealed by a mound like this one. The ants will actively defend their nests and can swarm out in great numbers when the entrance is disturbed.
A worker Bulldog Ant carries a tiny caterpillar back to the nest to feed to the young
They jump
I don’t know about all Bulldog Ants, but I have definitely seen some of them, especially the smaller ones, jump. I’ve watched them jump from leaf to leaf in trees. The ant stands on the edge of one leaf and sways from side as it appears to judge the distance and angle and then it leaps about 2 inches to the next leaf. They will also jump a lot when they’re agitated.
Are they aggressive?
Absolutely. Bulldog Ants are famous for their aggression. With their excellent eyesight they will follow movement, even if the subject is much bigger than themselves. A few times I’ve had Bulldog Ants try to chase me for a short distance. People reluctant to get too close will be pleased to know it’s not difficult to outrun them.
Do they sting?
Absolutely. I’ve been stung by them and I am telling you right now that it hurts. I will add that some people who are allergic to stings can suffer anaphylactic shock from Bulldog Ant stings so it can be very serious or even life-threatening in those instances, especially since it is common to be stung repeatedly by lots of ants. Now I will point out that it’s not the formidable mandibles which I am talking about, but a stinger in the abdomen which they use to inject venom. The ants are aggressive enough on their own but when you get too close to their nest they are even more likely to go for you, pouring out of their nest like a miniature erupting volcano.
What do they eat?
You would expect a creature with the attitude and athleticism of the Bulldog Ant to chase cars and eat the occupants but in fact their diet is much less exciting. They eat sweet stuff like honeydew, seeds, fruit and nectar. They do, however, catch grubs and insect prey to take back to their nest for the young to feed on.
How big do they get?
Big (for an ant). As long as 40 mm in length. The smallest ones grow to about 15 mm in length.
Primitive
You probably already know that many arthropods were bigger back in the fossil eras. Bulldog Ants have retained some of that size. But that’s not the only thing primitive about them. They are directly descended from ancient ants that existed before the arrival of other, more modern ants which developed the ability to walk in trails. That’s why you never see a trail of Bulldog Ants. They always hunt on their own.
Where do they live?
Throughout Australia. If you’re an Aussie then chances are you’ve seen them.
