Bug FAQInch Ant
Myrmecia pyriformis · Order: Hymenoptera · Family: Formicidae
Also called: bull ant
Source: Wikipedia
Workers can reach up to about an inch long, while males are slightly smaller. They are common in many Australian cities, especially in the eastern states. Colonies can survive without a queen because workers are able to reproduce.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Their mandibles and most body parts are dark red, and the thorax can be blackish-brown.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Individuals range from about 14 mm to 23 mm in length. Large female workers may grow up to 26 mm (about 1 inch).
Source: Wikipedia
Does it bite or sting?
Guinness World Records lists this species as the world’s most dangerous ant.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
They are abundant in many major Australian cities, especially in the east.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Colonies can persist without a queen because workers can lay eggs.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The inch ant is native to Australia.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It looks similar to Myrmecia forficata, but there are distinguishing features.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
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Questions people ask
How big does the inch ant get?
Workers can be up to about an inch (26 mm) long, while males are around 0.7 to 0.8 inch.
Source: Wikipedia
Where are inch ants found?
They are common in many Australian cities, especially in the eastern states.
Source: Wikipedia
Can inch ants bite or sting?
Yes, they can sting and are considered the world’s most dangerous ant.
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/Myrmecia_pyriformis
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.