Funnel Ant
Click to enlarge image
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Aphaenogaster
- Species
- longiceps
- Subfamily
- Myrmeciinae
- Family
- Formicidae
- Super Family
- Vespoidea
- Suborder
- Apocrita
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 5 mm
Funnel Ants get their name from the shape of the entrance to their nest, which is like a cone or funnel in the ground.
Habitat
Funnel ants live in urban areas, forests and woodlands, heath.
Distribution
Funnel ants are found throughout Australia.
Feeding and diet
Funnel Ants are generalist feeders and their diet includes a range of plant and animal material. They are known to have a mutually beneficial relationship with aphids on plant roots. The ants take excess sugary fluid exuded by the bugs as they feed and, in return, the aphids are protected from predators. It is common to find parts of insects and other invertebrates close to the nest entrances. Ground-dwelling animals like beetles fall into the funnel and struggle to escape before the ants attack. The ants quickly dismember the victims and take them into the nest as food for larvae. This allows the ants to reduce the amount of time spent away from the nest foraging.
Single Funnel Ant nest entrance in the Royal National Park
Image: Andrew Donnelly© Australian Museum
Other behaviours and adaptations
Funnel Ants get their name from the shape of the entrance to their nest, which is like a cone or funnel in the ground. These funnel-like entrances can be up to 4 cm in diameter and 30 cm deep. The nests can be so extensive and dense that their presence can severely affect soil structure, making it fragile and prone to collapse.
Danger to humans
Funnel Ants are only aggressive if their nest is disturbed. However, these ants can sting. An ice pack or commercially available spray may be used to relieve the pain of the sting. If there is evidence of an allergic reaction, medical attention should be sought.
