Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

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To see a diagram of a worker ant illustrating terminology, visit:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaster_(insect_anatomy)#/media/File:Scheme_ant_worker_anatomy-en.svg

Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

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Discussion

KMcCue wrote:

22 Feb 2026

Many thanks Jon, I wonder if they help spread weeds like Saffron Thistle, or do they eat the seeds and actually help us with the weeding. A nice thought.

Monomorium / Chelaner (genus group)

JonLewis wrote:

22 Feb 2026

Yep, got them! There are a large number of Monomorium and Chelaner species that collect grass seeds, bringing the whole seed and it’s associated coverings and awns back to the nest, then dissecting out the bit they want and chucking the rest on the rubbish heap outside the nest. Cheers, Jon

Monomorium / Chelaner (genus group)

JonLewis wrote:

22 Feb 2026

Hi KMcCue, there were certainly plenty of busy ants yesterday - I think they must read the weather forecast. Most meat ant nests aren’t raised up around the nest entrances like your photo, but you sometimes see them like this. I think it may have more to do with the soil that the particular nest is in than rain preparation. Cheers, Jon

Iridomyrmex purpureus

JonLewis wrote:

21 Feb 2026

Probably a couple of species here.

Unverified Ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

JonLewis wrote:

15 Feb 2026

Hi Suzanne, Dolichoderus scabridus is very similar looking to Dolichoderus doriae, but D. doriae has spines on its shoulders which are not present in D. scabridus, and I can just see the spines in one of the photos. Cheers, Jon

Dolichoderus doriae