Golden-tailed Bullant

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Golden-tailed Bullant

Golden-tailed Bullant

Myrmecia piliventris

Bullants have very good vision and can be aggressive. Their nests are mound-shaped, with cleared areas around the entrance holes, and can extend several metres below ground. Bullants catch entire insects to feed to their larvae. 

Details Description
Type
Invertebrate
Group
Insect - Ant
Identifying Characteristics

The worker ants' bodies are up to 3 cm in length and red-brown to black. Large, toothed jaws and large eyes. The abdomen section includes one or two small 'waist' sections.
Distinctive Markings

Large jaws (mandibles) and eyes.
Diet

Omnivore. Eats nectar and other plant juices as well as those from insects. Also catches animal prey.
Habitat

Makes an underground nest in urban areas, heathlands, forests and woodlands.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Bites/Sting
They can sting if disturbed, sometimes causing an allergic reaction. They deliver painful stings by gripping the intruder with their jaws, curling their abdomen with its sting and injecting the victim with venom. Often multiple stings are delivered.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Formicidae
Genus
Myrmecia
Species
piliventris
Golden-tailed Bullant
Found in south-eastern Australia, including throughout Victoria, and most of Western Australia.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.