My wife got bitten by a 'Jumping Jack Ant' today in the front yard whilst she was planting some bulbs. The kids of out friends were with her at the time and reported this name. The buggers literally jump.

I was only aware, physically, of huge ants with black bulge tails, which I call (incorrectly maybe) bull ants.

I am unable to determine if they are indeed one or the same, and my initial inquiries leave me no more enlightened.

Apparently these little bastards have caused 4 deaths in 20 odd years.

Badge

Badge, Mark got bitten on his foot at a school fete by the little bastards! It was biting so hard its whole body was bending in half! Mark's foot and leg stung like hell and swelled up! It went down on its own (with the help of Telfast and ice packs). Didn't realise they kill worrying!

Another term is the hopper ant.

but is this a 'bull' ant?

And is it indeed the one with the black bulbous rear end?

Badge

I've seen some of those bull ants in Byron last year nasty looking beggars :scared:

The teacher at the school said they were bull ants!

BUT BETTER LOOKING THAN HALF THE BIRDS THERE :scared:

The sugar ant looks like the bull ant too. Should add that the blokes who died were all over 40, and had known anti-something-or-other histories.

badge

look here

phew! funny the ants bit mark but not me? I'm obviously not tasty enough for them! Kids didn't get bitten either (sensible ants)

Myrmecia pilosula is the scientific name. Apparently the ones people seem to be talking about were in Tassie.

Now I'm wondering if the bull ant is different, as one of the articles suggested people confused them.

Here is one, it doesn't look like a bull ant to me, the bull is much skinnier.

here

Sent you a PM....

We have bull ants in WA, never heard about them jumping or being that dangerous.

Never heard of this jumping jack, maybe not found in WA??

Hope the better half is OK Badge?

My internet doesn't seem to be working properly? I can't click on the karma button or any links! The bull ants that bit mark were black, big and had a bulbous tail end (can't describe them any better)!

Hi there

Yes we have had encounters with these little buggers here too.....we are on Central Coast and we call them '''HOPPY JOE'S'''' . My daughter got bit by one on her hand at school and it was sore for days......... I saw one too at my sons Air Cadet centre and it looked really evil...and you couldnt keep your eye on it as it was jumping so quick....

I say they look great on the bottom of a 'thong' or shoe!!!!

L & D

Badge, next time your Mrs or you gets stung by any ant - use an alkaline to get rid of the sting - ants are acid so you need an alkaline . Use either soap, washing up liquid, best is sodium bicab mixed with a bit of water - it will take the sting and itchiness out of it. You should have learnt that one in the army.

If you get stung by Wasps - use an acid, vinegar, it's the opposite to ants. It will take the stinging/pain out

From someone who has been bitten by the really big black ants lots of times, and they don't half sting , including little ants ( I hate ants! - they always sting me) - including so called bull ants , the bull ants in Aus I have seen are a lot smaller here compared to some of them in Malaysia. It is what I've always used. You use an alkaline to neutralise acid

Never have I heard an ant killing someone by the way ( except for a load of fire ants with animals in some countries), if it has happened they must be allergic to it or something.