Large workers, commonly around 18–25 millimetres.
Fine-art photographic collection
Myrmecia pyriformis
A nocturnal visual hunter navigating by dim landmarks and celestial light.
About this species
Bull ant
Myrmecia pyriformisSmith, 1858
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Myrmecia pyriformis is a large Australian bull ant notable for nocturnal foraging. Workers leave the nest after dusk, climb vegetation or search the ground, and use visual information even under very low light.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Myrmeciinae · Myrmeciini · Myrmecia
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
Southern and southeastern AustraliaBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
Southern and southeastern Australia.
Woodland, forest edge, heath and suburban areas with suitable soil.
Predominantly nocturnal, with most workers making a single foraging journey during the night.
Arthropod prey, nectar and plant liquids.
Ground nests with a queen and independently foraging workers.
What makes this species remarkable?
It is one of the best-studied nocturnal ants.
Workers use dim visual landmarks to return home.
Each forager often follows a highly individual route.
Sources and scientific references
More photographs
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