Bug FAQGreen-head Ant
Rhytidoponera metallica · Order: Hymenoptera · Family: Formicidae
Also called: Metallic Green Ant, Metallic Pony Ant
Source: Wikipedia
Green-head ants are 5 to 7 mm long and have a metallic green-to-purple sheen. They live in many Australian habitats, nesting underground under logs, stones or in decayed wood, and are also found in urban areas. Workers hunt arthropods, collect honeydew and eat seeds, and they can reproduce with winged males.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
They are known for a metallic body that can appear green, purple or reddish-violet.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults measure between 5 and 7 mm in length.
Source: Wikipedia
Does it bite or sting?
Their sting is painful and can cause anaphylactic shock in sensitive humans.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
They occupy deserts, forests, woodlands and cities across Australia. Nests are built underground beneath logs, stones, twigs, shrubs or in decayed wood, sometimes in termite mounds.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
They are active during the day, hunting arthropods and small insects, and they also collect honeydew and seeds.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Workers are gamergates and can reproduce with winged males.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
They are diurnal and active throughout the day. Nuptial flights occur in spring.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The species is endemic to Australia and occurs in almost every state except Tasmania.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
Can green-head ants sting?
Yes, their sting is painful and may trigger anaphylactic shock in people who are sensitive.
Source: Wikipedia
Where do green-head ants live?
They are found in many Australian habitats, nesting underground under logs, stones or in decayed wood, and also in urban areas.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Formicidae)
Eastern Black Carpenter AntCamponotus pennsylvanicusCan damage your home
Red Imported Fire AntSolenopsis invictaCan sting
American Winter AntPrenolepis imparis
Argentine AntLinepithema humileNuisance, not dangerous
Immigrant Pavement AntTetramorium immigransCan sting
Odorous House AntTapinoma sessileCan damage your homeSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green-head_ant
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.