Gold Coast AntsJumping Jack Ant (Myrmecia nigrocincta) Polyrhachis

Myrmecia nigrocincta, commonly known as the Jumping Jack Ant or Jumper Ant, seem to prefer foraging on shrubs and trees, where they are also known to pollinate certain flowers.

They are a common large ant found in the eastern region of Australia, are known for their ability to jump and have a venomous sting. They have a distinctive pattern of orange-red and black colour, that distinguishes them from other species of Myrmecia. The workers can grow to over 15 mm in length.

Jumping Jack Ant (Myrmecia nigrocincta), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones
Jumping Jack Ant (Myrmecia nigrocincta), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones
Jumping Jack Ant (Myrmecia nigrocincta), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones
Jumping Jack Ant (Myrmecia nigrocincta), Gold Coast QLD © Stefan Jones

More information in Stony Range BG Jumping Jack Ant (Myrmecia nigrocincta) and Fauna > Insects > Formicidae > Ants > Myrmecia nigrocincta.


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Subphylum: Hexapoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Informal: Pterygotes
  • Order: Hymenoptera
  • Superfamily: Verspoidea
  • Family: Formicidae
  • Subfamily: Myrmeciinae
  • Tribe: Myrmeciini
  • Genus: Myrmecia
  • Species: Myrmecia nigrocincta

Footnote & References

  1. Jumping Jack Ant (Myrmecia nigrocincta), Photographs © Stefan Jones
  2. Myrmecia nigrocincta Smith, 1858, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Myrmecia nigrocincta

Gold Coast AntsJumping Jack Ant (Myrmecia nigrocincta) Polyrhachis

Gold Coast InsectsAntlions, Lacewings, and Allies (Neuroptera) Ants Bees Beetles Bugs (Hemiptera & Heteroptera) Buterflies & Moths Flies (Diptera) Wasps

Gold Coast RegionFauna

QueenslandQueensland Fauna Gold Coast Region Lamington National Park Southern Downs QLD