Myrmecia forficata
Encyclopedia
The inchman is a species of bull ant that is native to Australia
. The ants are recorded in the south eastern part of the country, but are most often found in Tasmania
.
The inchman is the most venomous of the bulldog ants, ranging from about 15 millimetre long, but less aggressive than the Jack jumper ant
. These ants are purplish-brown, with a black abdomen. Their large size gave them their name, although most are slightly smaller than the traditional inch (25.4 mm). Their nests may be inconspicuously hidden under a rock or in a small hole.
As with many species of bulldog ants, the inchman are usually solitary when they forage, though they live in colonies like most ants.
Inchman are carnivores and scavengers. They sting their victims with venom analogous to stings of wasps, bees, and fire ants. Their venom
is some of the most powerful in the insect
world.
The reputation for being the most venomous ant is possibly due to the tendency of the toxin to induce anaphylaxis
. It is this which kills the victim.
The symptoms of the stings of the ants are similar to stings of the fire ant
s. The reaction is local; swelling
, reddening
and fever, followed by formation of a blister
. The heart rate increases, and blood pressure falls rapidly. In about 3% of cases, the sting causes anaphylaxis
. Treatment is very similar to wasp
and bee
stings.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The ants are recorded in the south eastern part of the country, but are most often found in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
.
The inchman is the most venomous of the bulldog ants, ranging from about 15 millimetre long, but less aggressive than the Jack jumper ant
Jack jumper ant
The jack jumper ant, hopper ant, jumper ant or jumping jack, Myrmecia pilosula, is a species of bull ant that is native to Australia...
. These ants are purplish-brown, with a black abdomen. Their large size gave them their name, although most are slightly smaller than the traditional inch (25.4 mm). Their nests may be inconspicuously hidden under a rock or in a small hole.
As with many species of bulldog ants, the inchman are usually solitary when they forage, though they live in colonies like most ants.
Inchman are carnivores and scavengers. They sting their victims with venom analogous to stings of wasps, bees, and fire ants. Their venom
Venom
Venom is the general term referring to any variety of toxins used by certain types of animals that inject it into their victims by the means of a bite or a sting...
is some of the most powerful in the insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
world.
The reputation for being the most venomous ant is possibly due to the tendency of the toxin to induce anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is defined as "a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death". It typically results in a number of symptoms including throat swelling, an itchy rash, and low blood pressure...
. It is this which kills the victim.
The symptoms of the stings of the ants are similar to stings of the fire ant
Fire ant
Fire ants are a variety of stinging ants with over 285 species worldwide. They have several common names, including ginger ants, tropical fire ants and red ants.- Appearance :...
s. The reaction is local; swelling
Edema
Edema or oedema ; both words from the Greek , oídēma "swelling"), formerly known as dropsy or hydropsy, is an abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin or in one or more cavities of the body that produces swelling...
, reddening
Erythema
Erythema is redness of the skin, caused by hyperemia of the capillaries in the lower layers of the skin. It occurs with any skin injury, infection, or inflammation...
and fever, followed by formation of a blister
Blister
A blister is a small pocket of fluid within the upper layers of the skin, typically caused by forceful rubbing , burning, freezing, chemical exposure or infection. Most blisters are filled with a clear fluid called serum or plasma...
. The heart rate increases, and blood pressure falls rapidly. In about 3% of cases, the sting causes anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is defined as "a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death". It typically results in a number of symptoms including throat swelling, an itchy rash, and low blood pressure...
. Treatment is very similar to wasp
Wasp
The term wasp is typically defined as any insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita that is neither a bee nor an ant. Almost every pest insect species has at least one wasp species that preys upon it or parasitizes it, making wasps critically important in natural control of their...
and bee
Bee
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila...
stings.