Workers are commonly about 10–14 mm.
Fine-art photographic collection
Myrmecia pilosula
A fast, visually alert jack jumper with a medically significant sting.
About this species
Jack jumper ant
Myrmecia pilosula(F. Smith, 1858)
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Myrmecia pilosula is the best-known member of the jack-jumper ant complex. Workers hunt individually, jump when alarmed and possess venom capable of causing severe allergic reactions in susceptible people.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Myrmecia
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
South-eastern Australia and TasmaniaBroad records for the pilosula complex; local species limits require specialist identification.
South-eastern Australia and Tasmania; the pilosula group contains several closely related regional species.
Open woodland, heath, pasture, gardens and cool temperate ground.
Diurnal and visually guided, with workers often active around the nest entrance.
Live arthropods, carrion, nectar and sugary liquids.
Ground nests contain a queen and a relatively modest number of workers.
What makes this species remarkable?
Workers can make rapid forward jumps using their legs.
Venom allergy from jack-jumper stings is a significant medical issue in parts of Australia.
The name Myrmecia pilosula has historically covered a complex of closely related forms.
Sources and scientific references
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