Black-headed bull ant
Also known as Bulldog ant (a general name for the genus), Bull ant
A large, sharp-eyed Australian bulldog ant with a powerful sting: a species for experienced ant keepers only.
Not currently listed
Myrmecia nigriceps, the black-headed bull ant, is a bulldog ant from Australia, found across the south and east of the continent. Workers are about 19 to 23 mm long, with a black gaster, a red to yellowish-red thorax and very large eyes; they hunt by sight at twilight and at night.
Adults feed on nectar and other sweet liquids, while the larvae are fed invertebrates. Colonies are small, a few hundred workers, and the nest is a mound decorated with pebbles and plant material. The sting is powerful and painful, and the workers are described as extremely aggressive when disturbed.
This is an expert species. Ant-keeping sources warn about the sting and a high escape risk, so it is not a first ant. Rules on keeping and moving native Australian wildlife differ between countries, so please ask ANTELYX what applies to your destination before you order.
A large, long-legged bulldog ant with a black gaster, a red to yellowish-red thorax and yellow legs and mandibles. It has the largest eyes of the genus and excellent vision.
Taxonomy notes. Described by Gustav Mayr in 1862. Myrmecia fasciata (Clark, 1951) is listed as a synonym.
A wide range of habitats including woodland, scrub, coastal areas and hilly country. The nest is a mound decorated with pebbles, soil crumbs, stones and plant material.
Southern and eastern Australia. Wikipedia lists Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia; the species is absent from central Australia and the northern coast.
Foragers are active at twilight and at night, starting about an hour before sunset with a peak at dusk. They are visual hunters with very large eyes.
A powerful, painful sting that can be used repeatedly; one ant-keeping source warns of a risk of a severe allergic reaction in susceptible people. Workers have excellent vision. In one study workers lived an average of about 2.2 years.
Colony information for this species is being verified.
Care information for this species is limited. The sources describe an underground, earth-nesting species that is active at twilight and at night, takes nectar as an adult and feeds its larvae live insects. One ant-keeping source recommends a winter rest of two to three months, rates the escape risk as high and advises secure lids, and warns that the sting can cause a severe reaction in susceptible people. No temperature or humidity figures are published, because only one source gives guidance (avoid temperatures above 30 °C).
Adults take nectar and other sweet plant liquids. The larvae are carnivorous and are fed invertebrates, including other ants. Ant-keeping sources offer live insects as prey.
Nest type. Underground nester: an earth nest, in nature with a gravel mound
Colonies of this species that are currently listed. Not sure which to choose, or want to know more? Ask us before you order.
There are currently no colonies listed for this species. If you would like to know about availability, ask ANTELYX.
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Questions about this species.
Myrmecia nigriceps, the black-headed bull ant, is a large bulldog ant from Australia. Workers are about 19 to 23 mm long.
The sting is powerful and painful and can be used repeatedly. One ant-keeping source warns that it can cause a severe allergic reaction in susceptible people. This species is for experienced ant keepers.
At twilight and at night. Foragers start about an hour before sunset.
Adults take nectar and sweet liquids. The larvae are fed live invertebrates, and ant keepers offer live insects.
A few hundred workers.
Rules on keeping and moving native Australian wildlife differ between countries. Please ask ANTELYX before ordering and we will tell you what is possible for your destination.
The difficulty level is shown at the top of this page. The Ant Keeping guide explains what to expect at each level.
Each product describes what is included. Colony contents vary by species and product.
Availability depends on your destination. See the shipping notes above and the shipping page.
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Myrmecia nigriceps care guide: what experienced ant keepers need to know about the black-headed bull ant: sting, escape risk, nest, feeding and activity.
Bulldog ant care explained: Australian Myrmecia bull ants, their sting, escape risk, nest and feeding, and why they are for experienced ant keepers.
Ready for a second colony? How to move from beginner species to advanced ants: what to learn, which species to try next and how to plan.
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