Iridomyrmex chasei

Iridomyrmex chasei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Pancrustacea
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Dolichoderinae
Genus: Iridomyrmex
Species:
I. chasei
Binomial name
Iridomyrmex chasei
Forel, 1902[1]

Iridomyrmex chasei is an ant belonging to the genus Iridomyrmex. The species was described by Auguste-Henri Forel in 1902, the species is mainly abundant nationwide in Australia, with an exception of its presence in Tasmania.[2] This species is widely known for its large and highly populated nests.[3]

Taxonomy

I. chasei is commonly known as the 'native odorous garden ant'.[2] This species is a part of the genera Iridomyrmex which belongs to the subfamily of ants called Dolichoderinae.[4] There are a total of 63 described native Iridomyrmex in Australia.[5] I.chasei was first described by Auguste-Henri Forel in 1902.[3] Forel also described two potential sub-species; Iridomyrmex chasei concolor in 1902 and Iridomyrmex chasei yalgooensis in 1907.[2] The species have a close genetic relationship to Iridomyrmex rufoniger and morpholoically likened to Iridomyrmex gibbus. [6]

Identification

Iridomyrmex chasei are approximately 4 mm long.[7] Iridomyrmex chasei is similar in appearance to its relatives but can be distinguished by its bulging pronotum that slopes downwards towards the head, a protruding propodeum and head capsules with a concave vertex.[8] They are commonly produce a distinct odorous smell when they are crushed.[2] The species have been observed with both hairy and smooth legs.[6]

Distribution and habitat

Iridomyrmex chasei is occurs across all states in Australia except Tasmania. I. chasei nests on open ground. [8] They occur in drier temperate climates and occupy sandy soils and heathlands where they from large colonies.[8] It is common around Perth, Western Australia where it is considered a garden pest [2] and less common in timbered and modified rural habitats.[8]

Diet and behaviour


Like most ants Iridomyrmex chasei are colonial form large nests on open ground.[2] Iridomyrmex chasei is a foraging species that feeds on carron, nectar and honeydew[6]. I. chasei utilises carbohydrates from plants as a food source. [5] Colonies peak in spring and summer, displacing large quantiles of sand through high burrowing activity. [8] The species is known to be aggressive and will bite and attack invaders of all sizes.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Iridomyrmex chasei (Forel, 1902)". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Heterick, B.E. (2011). Revision of the ant genus Iridomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (PDF). Melbourne: Zootaxa.
  3. 1 2 Forel, A (1902). Fourmis nouvelles d'Australie. Suisse Zool. p. 467 (worker described).
  4. ↑ Australia, Atlas of Living. "Genus: Iridomyrmex (Meat Ants; Tyrant Ants)". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  5. 1 2 Shattuck SO (1999) Australian ants: their biology and identification.CSIRO, Collingwood
  6. 1 2 3 4 Heterick, Brian E. (2022). "A Guide to the Ants of Western Australia. Part II: Distribution and Biology". Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement. 86 (1): 247. doi:10.18195/issn.0313-122x.86.2022.247-510. ISSN 0313-122X.
  7. ↑ Lach, Lori; Hobbs, Richard J.; Majer, Jonathan D. (April 2009). "Herbivory‐induced extrafloral nectar increases native and invasive ant worker survival". Population Ecology. 51 (2): 237–243. doi:10.1007/s10144-008-0132-2. ISSN 1438-3896 – via ESJ Journals.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Heterick, B. E. (2009). A Guide to the Ants of South-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement, 76(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.18195/issn.0313-122x.76.2009.007-206
  9. ↑ "ALA | Login". auth.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2026-06-18.
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