Bull ants working as a team: Phillip Island

At the base of a stark eucalypt trunk I noticed a group of bull ants attempting to carry a grub back to the colony; to feed their larvae. Clearly it was a difficult task requiring cooperation.

Growing up to 20 mm long, Australian bull ants are one of the most primitive living ants on Earth. Their powerful jaws lock like the jaws of a bulldog -- hence its nickname bulldog ant. Their strength is amazing. Experiments have demonstrated that a large bull ant is able to support 1100 times its own weight.

As they worked out a strategy, I watched, making sure I was nowhere near the stinging apparatus. Poison injected by a bull ant causes a nasty reaction in most people, and I've had one too many bites in my lifetime.

After watching for a while I left the ants to get on with the task of moving the juicy grub from the sandy track to the colony, a small mound with two entrances beneath a protective covering of New Zealand spinach.

Draft: the last!

This is the last of my drafts, and apologies for the mix-up. For today's blog, please go down 3 times to:

The pull of my island home from Mitchell outback Qld

Friday, November 18, 2011

As a bonus I'll include a couple of photos I took last night. The eucalypt blossoms with the long narrow leaves are river red gums. While walking beneath the trees I could hear and feel the crunch of the tiny blossom caps beneath my feet. It was a magical sensation.

The eucalypt blossoms with the rounded shiny leaves are bimble box.

The peaches growing in the bush beside the river are the result of the pink blossoms I took photos of mid-year. I hope you enjoy these extra photos.

My next blog will be en route between Mitchell and Phillip Island.