Myrmecia fulvipes

This foraging worker looks to be another example of a Myrmecia ant with cuticle darkening interrupted during the pupal stage by infection of a gregarine protozoan parasite. Most of the ants we have observed with parasite induced pale colouring appear to be Myrmecia pilosula. This brown worker looks distinctly different with the dark mandibles and antennae, the lack of any indication of darkening of the femora, and the more distinct, rugose, longitudinal striae on the head.

Mid January 2012
Rocky Cape National Park
In a wet gully filled with button grass