Ouch !

Variously known as Bull Ants, Bull Dog Ants, Inch Ants ('cos they are), Sergeant Ants or Myrmeceia.

I call 'em bastards.

These are a very primitive ant species - there are 90 sub species in Australia and only one in the rest of the world (New Caledonia). They are closer in form to the wasp ancestor of all ants than most species - in fact they still maintain a sting in their tail (as well as the whopping choppers). The queens are similar in size and form to the wirkers - in fact if a queen dies a worker will step up to throne.

If you disturb them they will chase you unrelentingly. And if they get you you'll know all about it. They sting and bite like blazes - even through jeans. To top it all off the stings get worse over time - the second and third days after a bite are hell (from experience).

You definitely don't want these buggers at your picnic.

Done