Myrmecia pilosula, the jack jumper ant, is noted for its sting. A higher percentage of people (up to 3% in some populations) are at risk of life-threatening allergic response to a jack-jumper sting than that of any other insect.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
Myrmecia pilosula, the jack jumper ant, is noted for its sting. A higher percentage of people (3%) are at risk of life-threatening allergic response to a jack-jumper sting than that of any other insect.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
Myrmecia pilosula, the jack jumper ant, is so-named for an unusual ability to jump.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
Myrmecia pilosula, the jack jumper ant.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
Myrmecia pilosula, the jack jumper ant.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
Myrmecia pilosula, the jack jumper ant, is noted for its sting. A higher percentage of people (3%) are at risk of life-threatening allergic response to a jack-jumper sting than that of any other insect.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
Myrmecia pilosula is smaller than its bull ant relatives and can be identified by a silver-gray body with yellow antennae, mandibles, and forelegs.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
Myrmecia pilosula, the jack jumper ant, is noted for its sting. A higher percentage of people (up to 3% in some populations) are at risk of life-threatening allergic response to a jack-jumper sting than that of any other insect.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
Myrmecia pilosula are spritely little bull ants with a distinctive jerky gait.  They are capable of jumping several centimeters, a behavior that has earned them the name "Jack-Jumper". 

Tower Hill, Victoria, Australia
Myrmecia pilosula are spritely little bull ants with a distinctive jerky gait. They are capable of jumping several centimeters, a behavior that has earned them the name "Jack-Jumper".

Tower Hill, Victoria, Australia
Myrmecia pilosula are spritely little bull ants with a distinctive jerky gait.  They are capable of jumping several centimeters, a behavior that has earned them the name "Jack-Jumper". 

Tower Hill, Victoria, Australia
Myrmecia pilosula are spritely little bull ants with a distinctive jerky gait. They are capable of jumping several centimeters, a behavior that has earned them the name "Jack-Jumper".

Tower Hill, Victoria, Australia
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013