badman: large red ants from island of Borneo (18. Nov 2009 04:14)

During a visit to Sarawak, East Malaysia, (island of Borneo) I spotted a large colony of red ants, it was either 1 very large colony over a large area or several smaller colonies, very active during morning and evening the only seemed to stop working at the hottest time of day.
I estimate the size at 1.5cm, only one caste was observed, and they were very aggressive, raising their backs at provocation, also, one bit me on the foot because I was in her way.

Interestingly their foraging path crossed over the top of a large gate, when the gate opened for cars the ants would queue up at each side, confused, and then resume their journey when the gate closed.
Lots of interesting ants in this part of the world, in 2 minutes outdoors you can find 5 different types without even trying.

Sorry about the picture quality, these are from a camera phone.

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/4628/ant6c.jpg

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/3774/ant4.jpg

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/7494/ant3h.jpg

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/572/ant2e.jpg

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/679/ant1g.jpg

damondeionno: Re: large red ants from island of Borneo (18. Nov 2009 18:43)

Yes, the pictures are difficult, but if I was to guess I would say Oecophylla.

If you look that up on google images, perhaps you could tell us if they are the same ones.

JimmyVe: Re: large red ants from island of Borneo (18. Nov 2009 19:10)

Could be Oecophylla species but its hard to tell with these pictures.

badman: Re: large red ants from island of Borneo (19. Nov 2009 13:22)

seems like a good guess. I really need a macro lense for my next trip

damondeionno: Re: large red ants from island of Borneo (19. Nov 2009 17:44)

You don't need a macro lens. It won't always help, particularly if you are trying to photograph things that are moving.

Try and pick up one of the Canon Powershot cameras. G7 onwards. Latest is G11 but that will be expensive right now.

McK: Re: large red ants from island of Borneo (19. Nov 2009 18:06)

Those are Oecophylla smaragdina (green weaver ants).

badman: Re: large red ants from island of Borneo (2. Dez 2009 15:17)

canon powershot g7?... too bad they are £200. Maybe some other time

McK - Thanks, I've heard of these ants, they certainly seem like an interesting species.

Krabbie: Re: large red ants from island of Borneo (2. Dez 2009 16:57)

Those are Oecophylla smaragdina (green weaver ants).
The smaragdina is more greenish than that I think, im not an expert but I saw a picture of a smaragdina queen and workers and they were green as grass.
Or maybe this is a variety...

badman: Re: large red ants from island of Borneo (2. Dez 2009 19:05)

wikipedia says they come in red and green.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oecophylla_smaragdina

McK: Re: large red ants from island of Borneo (3. Dez 2009 23:51)

Yes, the colour differences from region to region.
On the other hand, it could also be Oecophylla longinoda, but they (mostly) only live in Australia so that would amaze me.

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