astronomy-to-zoology:Meat Ant (Iridomyrmex purpureus)Also known as the Meat-eater Ant or Gravel ant,
astronomy-to-zoology:Meat Ant (Iridomyrmex purpureus)Also known as the Meat-eater Ant or Gravel ant, the meat ant is a species of rainbow ant (Iridomyrmex spp.) that occurs throughout Australia. Like most ants meat ants live in large underground nests that number around 64,000 individuals. Despite what their common name might suggest meat ants are omnivorous scavengers and will forage diurnally for whatever they can manage. Their common name comes from the fact that they are commonly used to clean carcasses. Interestingly meat ants do not have dedicated soldier and worker casts, instead they exhibit age caste polyethism which means they take on different roles in the colony at different ages. Young ants typically care for eggs and older ants form foraging parties.ClassificationAnimalia-Arthropoda-Insecta-Hymenoptera-Formicidae-Dolichoderinae-Tapinomini-Iridomyrmex-I. purpureusImage(s): Fir0002 -- source link