Where Can You Find Bullet Ants?
WouterAmong the large insects, the bullet ant is reputed for its excruciating sting. Bullet ants are found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. They have been used as an initiation ritual by indigenous people.
Bullet ants are members of the tribe Paraponerini, which is classified under the Eukaryote Kingdom. These creatures have segmented bodies and well developed mandibles. They have sticky legs that allow them to climb.
A bullet ant colony is comprised of several hundred members. The queen is slightly larger than the worker ants. The males leave to produce new colonies. The female ants hold the sperm of the first mating in a pouch on their abdomen.
Bullet ants forage in the canopy of the rain forest. They look for insect prey and plant sap. The most common food they take back to their nest is nectar.
Bullet ants are commonly found in Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, and Venezuela. They are also found in Brazil.
The sting is said to be extremely painful, and last for up to 24 hours. Bullet ant stings can be prevented by avoiding the area around bullet ant colonies. Some people have reported that antihistamines and hydrocortisone cream can help reduce the swelling.
Bullet ants are not dangerous, and the sting is not fatal. However, the venom is toxic and can cause temporary paralysis. In addition, the stinger can be painful and scalding.
When bullet ants are attacked, they cannot flee. They must get to the ground to get their stinger. Once they have their stinger, they latch on with their mandibles. The stinger is made of poneratoxin, a toxic peptide of 25 amino acids. This compound is very difficult to deactivate.
