Mulga Ant (Polyrhachis macropa) (1/5)

Hymenoptera: Formicidae

Polyrhachis macropa  

Ant nests thatched with Mulga needles were profuse around stands of Mulga near our camp but we saw no signs of activity in or around them during the day.

On re-checking the nests during the night we discovered that, while there weren't huge numbers of ants visible, there was activity of ants coming and going.

Neighbouring the Mulga Ant nests were those of a different smaller, and seemingly more nuerous, species of ant which were active during the day. Having different shifts no doubt results in a lot less conflict between the two species.