Polyrhachis

Gold Coast AntsJumping Jack Ant (Myrmecia nigrocincta) Polyrhachis

Polyrhachis includes some species found here in Australia, including those pictured here in the Gold Coast, on the eastern region of Australia.

The genus Polyrhachis refers to a a group of formicine ants that are found in the “Old World”. Whilst this term “Old World” (latin Mundus Vetus), originating in Europe (c 1493) applies to Afro-Eurasia, it has been noted that Australia is neither Old World nor New World.⁴

With over 600 described species of Polyrhachis the genus is yet to be comprehensively resolved, containing many varied species tht include an array of nesting types ranging from terrestrial, soil based nests to arboreal nests.

The common name for Polyrhachis as a group is Spiny Ants.

Golden-tailed Spiny Ant (Polyrhachis ammon)

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Golden Spiny Ant (Polyrhachis aurea or Polyrhachis vermiculosa)

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Red-thighed Spiny Ant (Polyrhachis rufifemur)

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• Scientific classification
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Subphylum: Hexapoda
• Class: Insecta
• Informal: Pterygotes
• Order: Hymenoptera
• Superfamily: Verspoidea
• Family: Formicidae
• Subfamily: Formicinae
• Tribe: Camponotini
• Genus: Polyrhachis
• Subgenus:
  • Polyrhachis (Campomyrma) Wheeler, 1911
  • Polyrhachis (Chariomyrma) Forel, 1915
  • Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) Forel, 1915
  • Polyrhachis (Hagiomyrma) Wheeler, 1911
  • Polyrhachis (Hedomyrma) Forel, 1915
  • Polyrhachis (Hirtomyrma) Kohout, 2010
  • Polyrhachis (Myrma) Billberg, 1820
  • Polyrhachis (Myrmatopa) Forel, 1915
  • Polyrhachis (Myrmhopla) Forel, 1915
  • Polyrhachis (Myrmothrinax) Forel, 1915
  • Polyrhachis (Polyrhachis) Smith, 1857

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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

QueenslandGold Coast Region Lamington National Park Southern Downs QLD