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
Australians know Myrmecia bull ants for their painful stings, which the ants readily employ to defend their nest from attack. Or, in this case, from a photographer.

Diamond Creek, 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
Australians know Myrmecia bull ants for their painful stings, which the ants readily employ to defend their nest from attack. Or, in this case, from a photographer.

Diamond Creek, 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.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013