How Heavy Are Bullet Ants?
WouterKnown as the “giant hunting ant,” Bullet Ants are one of the largest species of ant. They are native to parts of Central and South America, and are found in rainforests, often in wet areas. They are typically 18-30 millimeters in length.
Bullet Ants are often parasitized by phorid fly larvae. The larvae lay eggs on the injured worker ants. In turn, the worker ants climb trees to find nectar and other food for the colony.
Bullet Ants live in colonies, consisting of several hundred individuals. They generally build their nests at the base of trees. They spend the entire day foraging for food for the colony. They usually don’t enter the forest floor, but rather use their mandibles to clamp down on vegetation.
Bullet Ants are one of the most painful insects to be stung. Their sting is said to be comparable to being shot with a gun. In fact, Bullet Ants are so painful that their sting has been nicknamed “the world’s most painful sting.”
During a venom study, researchers determined that the sting from Bullet Ants contains d-paraponeritoxin (PLA2), which is a neurotoxin that alters the function of synapses. This enables Bullet Ants to attack and kill other insects. The toxin was found to be highly expressed in Bullet Ants.
In addition to its painful sting, Bullet Ants are known for their defensive behavior. They are a major predator of the glass wing butterfly. The sting causes a number of symptoms, including nausea, fever, cardiac arrhythmia, and trembling.
