Golden-tailed spiny ant fact sheet | Field of Mars EEC

What are golden-tailed spiny ants and what do they look like?

Golden-tailed spiny ants are native Australian ants with dark bodies and a shiny golden covering of fine hairs on the rear part of their body. They are called spiny ants because they have thorn-like spines on their thorax and waist.

The scientific name for the golden-tailed spiny ant is Polyrhachis ammon. Like all ants, they are insects. They have six legs, three main body parts, elbowed antennae and strong jaws.

Golden-tailed spiny ants live in colonies. A colony may include one or more queens, many female workers and winged males and females that help start the next generation. The local Darug people of the Sydney Basin refer to ants as mung.

A golden-tailed spiny ant.

Golden-tailed spiny ants have an eye-catching golden sheen on their abdomens.

Where do golden-tailed spiny ants live?

Golden-tailed spiny ants are found in open forest and woodland along the east coast of Australia, from northern Queensland to Victoria. They are often seen in eucalypt forests where there are trees, shrubs, leaf litter, fallen logs and rocks.

At Field of Mars Reserve, habitats such as eucalypt forest, leaf litter and rock and log areas provide shelter and food for many ants and other invertebrates.

Golden-tailed spiny ants are ground-nesting ants. Their colonies may be built in soil under rocks, logs or tree roots. Workers often forage on the ground, on leaves and on tree trunks during the day.

Golden-tailed spiny ants make their nests under trees, shrubs, rocks and log piles.

What do golden-tailed spiny ants eat?

Golden-tailed spiny ants are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal material. They feed on nectar and pollen from flowers, small insects and other animal matter.

They also collect honeydew from sap-sucking insects such as leafhoppers and scale insects. Honeydew is a sweet liquid made when these insects feed on plant sap. The ants may tap the sap-sucking insects with their antennae and collect the honeydew that is released.

In return, the ants may protect the sap-sucking insects from predators. This relationship helps the ants gain a regular sugar-rich food source.

Golden-tailed spiny ants forage alone for pollen, nectar, insects and seeds.

What is the life cycle of a golden-tailed spiny ant?

Golden-tailed spiny ants go through complete metamorphosis. This means their life cycle has four main stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult.

The queen lays tiny eggs inside the nest. Larvae hatch from the eggs and are cared for by adult ants in the colony. As the larvae grow, they shed their skin several times.

The larvae then change into pupae. During this stage, their bodies develop into the adult ant form. Some ant pupae are protected inside a silk cocoon.

Adult ants emerge from the pupae. Most adults in the colony are workers. Winged males and females are produced when it is time for mating and starting new colonies.

Golden-tailed spiny ant life cycle

Both male and female golden-tailed spiny ants have wings. Females have a bigger head and eyes than males.

What adaptations do golden-tailed spiny ants have to help them survive?

Golden-tailed spiny ants have several adaptations that help them survive in bushland habitats. Their spines may make them harder for predators to grab or swallow. When threatened, they may curl their body to display their spines.

Golden-tailed spiny ants do not have a venomous sting like some other ants. Instead, they can use chemical defence. Formicine ants have a small opening called an acidopore at the tip of the gaster, or rear body section. This opening can release formic acid, which helps defend the ant.

Their shiny golden and black colouring may also help protect them. Bright or contrasting colours can make some animals look less safe to eat.

Their antennae help them touch, smell and communicate. This is important when they are finding food, following trails, recognising nestmates and collecting honeydew from sap-sucking insects.

The gold and black colouring is believed to deter predators.

Why are golden-tailed spiny ants important?

Golden-tailed spiny ants are part of the bushland food web. They provide food for animals such as birds, lizards, spiders and echidnas.

They also help recycle nutrients by feeding on small dead animals and other organic material. Their nests and foraging activity can help move tiny pieces of soil and leaf litter.

Golden-tailed spiny ants also show how connected bushland habitats are. They use flowering plants for food, interact with sap-sucking insects and provide food for larger animals. A small ant colony can be connected to many parts of the ecosystem.

Echidnas use their long sticky tongue to catch lots of ants to eat.

How can you help golden-tailed spiny ants?

You can help golden-tailed spiny ants by protecting bushland habitat. Leaf litter, rocks, fallen branches, logs and tree bases all provide shelter for ants and other small animals.

Where it is safe to do so, leave logs, rocks and natural ground cover in place. These materials may already be homes for insects, spiders, worms and other invertebrates.

Planting local native plants can also help. Flowering wattles, eucalypts and other native plants provide nectar, pollen and habitat for many insects.

Avoid unnecessary pesticide use, especially around flowering plants, leaf litter and garden edges. Pesticides can harm ants and other invertebrates that are important parts of local food webs.

If you find a golden-tailed spiny ant nest, observe it carefully without disturbing it. Do not dig into the nest or leave rocks and logs overturned.

You can help golden-tailed spiny ant and other native animals by protecting their bushland habitats.

Related fact sheets

More invertebrate fact sheets

• Invertebrate fact sheets – overview
• Insects fact sheet – broader insect body structure and features (ants are insects).
• Bush cockroaches fact sheet – other ground-dwelling insects in leaf litter and log piles.
• Crustaceans fact sheet – pill bugs and slaters that share ground and log habitats.

Habitats and ecosystems

• Leaf litter habitat fact sheet
• Eucalypt forest fact sheet
• Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet

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