Myrmecia michaelseni

Myrmecia michaelseni is an Australian ant which belongs to the genus Myrmecia. This species is native to Australia. They are mostly distributed and studied in Western Australia.^[1]

Myrmecia michaelseni
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmeciinae
Genus:	Myrmecia
Species:	M. michaelseni
Binomial name
Myrmecia michaelseni Forel, 1907

The average length of a worker ant is 10-12 millimetres long. Queens are 13.5-15 millimetres long, and males are smaller. They are similar to the Jack jumper ant. They are mostly black, but the mandibles, antennae and legs are light brown, and the tarsi is reddish. The colours for the queen is exactly the same as the workers.^[2][3][4]

Habitat and Behavior

Myrmecia michaelseni is predominantly found in the south-western regions of Western Australia, particularly within Jarrah-Marri forests. These forests provide a suitable environment for the species, offering both shelter and foraging opportunities.

The species typically constructs its nests in soil, often under rocks or within decaying wood. These nesting sites are strategically chosen to provide protection from environmental elements and predators.

In terms of foraging behavior, M. michaelseni is primarily diurnal, actively searching for food during daylight hours. The ants are solitary foragers, relying on their keen vision to locate prey and navigate their environment.^[5][6]