Australian Venomous Ants
Deaths from jumper ant stings have occurred in Australia
Photograph courtesy Alex Wild 2005 myrmecos.net
The “Jumper ant” Myrmecia pilosula
A primitive group of ants found only in Australia .
Introduction
Allergic reactions to stinging ants are an important cause of anaphylaxis in Australia. The proteinaceous venom can be fatal to humans.
Allergic reactions
to the Jack Jumper ant (also known as the Jumper Ant, Hopper Ant) are a uniquely Australian problem, although other species such as Bulldog Ants ( Myrmecia pyriformis ) , the Green Ant of Queensland, and introduced South American Fire
Ant cause allergic reactions.
Select an article on this page.
1: An encounter with “Bull Dog ants” in Melbourne 1852.
2: What is a Jack Jumper Ant? ( Myrmecia pilosula )
3: Analysis of the proteinaceous Venom in the sting.
4: Jumper ant venom can destroy cancer cells.
5: Disribution of the Jack jumper ant and their nests.
6: The venom of Jack Jumper Ants and Anaphylaxis.
7: First aid and Bush remedy for Jumper ant sting
8: Jumper Ant allergy does not disappear quickly.
9: Inch Ant, Bull ant ( Myrmecia pyriformis ).
10: Photograph of the Inch Ant stinger.
11: The Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren)
A descriptive encounter with “Bull Dog ants” in Melbourne circa 1852.
" Insects, fleas, etc, are as plentiful as it is possible to be, and the
ants,
of which there are several kinds, are a perfect nuisance.
The
largest are called by the old colonists, "bull-dogs," and formidable
creatures they are--luckily not very common, about an inch and a half
long, black, or rusty-black, with a red tail.
They bite like a
little crab. Ants of an inch long are quite common.
They do not -- like the
English ones -- run scared away at the sight of a human being -- not a
bit of it;
Australian ants have more PLUCK, and will turn and face you.
Nay, more, should you RETREAT, they will run after you with all the
impudence imaginable.
Often when my organ of destructiveness has
tempted me slightly to disturb with the end of my parasol one of the
many ant-hills on the way from Melbourne to Richmond, I have been
obliged, as soon as they discovered the perpetrator of the attack, to
take to my heels and run away as if for my life. "
Source: " A Lady's Visit to the Gold Diggings of Australia in 1852-53 "
by Mrs Charles (Ellen) Clacy 1853
What is a Jack Jumper Ant?
Most Australian native stinging ants are from the genus Myrmecia a primitive group of ants found only in Australia and one other species ( Myrmecia apicalis ) can be found in New Calendonia.
There are 89 species within this group.
This group is broadly subdivided into “Jumper ants” and “Bull Dog ants”.
Bull Dog ants are large, around 15-25 mm long, whereas Jumper ants are generally 10 to 15 mm long and often display jerky, jumping movements, and when disturbed they move forward
by a series of jumps of up to 50 mm each jump.
Jumper Ants are also known as “Hopper Ants” or “Skipper Ants” in South Australia. The Jumper Ant most frequently associated with allergic reactions is commonly known as the
“Jack Jumper Ant” , “Jack Jumper” or “Jumping Jack”.
Jack Jumpers have a black body and orange/brown jaws/pincers and limbs.
Jumper ants sting , rather than bite , like bees and wasps, they grasp the victim in their jaws, then bend and sting them. The sting is in
the tail.
They are aggressive, typically walk with a hopping motion, and can sometimes “jump” from surrounding vegetation.
Compounds found: Histamine, dopamine, norepinephrine, amino acids, oligopeptides, phospholipids, carbohydrates, melittin, apamin, mast cell degranulating peptide, secapin, tertiapin, protease inhibitor, procamine A & B, phospholipase A & B, hyaluronidases, acid phosphomonoesterase, alpha-D-glucosidase
" The immunotoxin, which incorporates a major component from the venom of the jumper ant Myrmecia pilosula is four times more potent than an immunotoxin derived from bee venom... "
" In a development that promises a new approach to cancer therapy, UTS researchers have developed a chemical "warhead" — known as an immunotoxin — that effectively targets malignant cells with a new toxin found in an Australian ant.
Professor Robert Raison of the Cell and Molecular Biology Department describes the ant toxin and the vehicle for delivering it as "a guided missile".
In the earlier research, Professor Raison’s team isolated melittin, a toxic protein in bee venom. They fused the gene encoding the toxic protein with the gene encoding the binding site of an antibody molecule in order to produce a new protein with strong anti-cancer properties, especially effective against the human leukaemia known as multiple myeloma.
He believes the team’s current research involving the highly potent toxin from the venom of the jumper ant and its efficient delivery by means of an antibody mechanism to specific cancer sites in the body represents a new approach in the development of immunotoxins for cancer chemotherapy.
While the aim of developing a potent and site-specific "magic bullet" with minimal side effects has motivated cancer researchers throughout the world, Australia’s humble jumper ant might yet provide UTS with a winner in the international cancer research stakes. "
Distribution
The Jack jumper ant has a widespread distribution
These ants are found in Tasmania, Victoria, The ACT, the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and coastal New South Wales, the Adelaide Hills in South Australia, and with some pockets reported in the Blue Mountains, some parts of Western Australia and unconfirmed sightings in Queensland. It is likely that there are other (as yet undescribed) habitats as well, and that observations relate to interactions between ant colonies and human habitats.
Nests are often difficult to find
Ants live in underground nests. Although established nests can form massive mounds, they are often difficult to find, and may be present
under rock, with the entrance surrounded by a pile of fine gravel. Typically, a couple of sentry ants are present at the entrance.
The ants are aggressive, and often hunt alone. They will stray away from the nest, and at times find their way into people's houses and kitchens. It is very difficult to avoid being stung by jumper
ant in endemic areas, when nests are located close to human inhabitants.
Allergic reactions may occur to ant stings
There are different types of allergic reactions to stinging insects. The stings of jumper ants, like those of bees and wasps, are very
painful.
Local swelling is very common and large local swellings can also occur, lasting a few days at a time.
The most serious reactions are known as generalised allergic reactions, of which the most severe is called anaphylaxis.
The proteinaceous venom of Jack Jumper Ants and Anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis :
Exaggerated reaction of an organism to a foreign protein or other
substance.
Anaphylaxis occurs after exposure to an allergen (such as food, insect sting or medicine), to which a person is already extremely sensitive.
It results in potentially life-threatening symptoms, including:
o Difficulty/noisy breathing
o Swelling of tongue
o Swelling/tightness in throat
o Difficulty talking and/or hoarse voice
o Wheeze or persistent cough
o Chest tightness
o Abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting
o Confusion, loss of consciousness and/or collapse
o Pale and floppy (in young children)
In some cases, anaphylaxis is preceded by less dangerous allergic symptoms, eg:
o Swelling of face, lips and eyes
o Congestion and watering of the nose and eyes
o Hives or welts on the skin
o Headaches, anxiety, flushing
First aid:
Australian stinging ants; inch ants, jumping ants, jack jumper ant
1. Apply a cold pack to the sting area.
2. If the patient develops generalised rash, difficulty breathing or becomes faint or collapses, urgent MEDICAL treatment is
required, as this is an acute allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the venom.
If there is any impairment of vital functions, such as problems with respiration, airway, circulation, heart function, these must be supported as a priority.
In particular, both airway and respiration may be impaired, requiring urgent and prolonged treatment, which may include the mouth to mask (mouth to mouth) technique of expired air transfer. Seek
urgent medical attention.
3. If the victim is already known to have an allergy to insect venom (bee or wasp), they are at risk of a major allergic
reaction.
At the first sign of such a reaction, if available, administer epinephrine (adrenaline, "epipen") as instructed on the medication.
If the reaction includes airway constriction (asthma) and a "ventolin" puffer is available, use it. Seek urgent medical attention.
Referenced from: WCH Clinical Toxinology Resources The University of Adelaide Australia
Bush remedy for Jumper ant sting
When there are no signs of allergic symptoms.
" The young tips
of bracken fern rubbed on a jumper ant sting is a
useful bush remedy that was discovered and used
by Australian Aborigines. ".
This bush remedy may alleviate the local pain that may be experienced when an ant sting has occurred.
Source: Newsletter of Manly Council’s Bushland Reserves Summer 2003 — Manly’s Bushland News 3
Anaphylaxis to Jumper Ant stings is not rare
In areas where jumper ants are common, population surveys have shown that between 2 and 3 per cent of people have had generalised allergic reactions, and in around half of these people the reactions
can be life-threatening.
Deaths from jumper ant stings have occurred in Australia, with several recorded cases in recent years (
including the Macedon Ranges ).
Since allergy as a cause of death can be difficult to detect at post mortem , it is conceivable that deaths due to sting allergy are under-reported.
Jumper Ant allergy does not disappear quickly.
Follow-up studies have shown that around 70 per cent of people with jumper ant allergy, will have another allergic reaction if re-stung.
This sensitivity to repeat stings appears to persist for many years.
Management options
Patients with allergic reactions to jumper ants, as with other allergies, need to avoid the trigger (where possible), carry emergency medication (adrenaline/EpiPen) and know what to do if accidental
exposure occurs.
Wearing a MedicAlert (or similar) bracelet may provide additional information to attending doctors or ambulance officers.
Avoiding Jumper ants
Jumper ants are difficult to avoid in endemic areas, as they often stray long distances from the nests.
Destroying nearby nests has been proposed to reduce the risk of accidental stings, but may not prevent stings from nests located further away.
Wearing heavy clothing such as boots and gloves when in the bush or when gardening seems sensible, but the ants can still sting through heavy clothing. Whether moving from endemic areas to another
area may help is uncertain.
Article partially Referenced from: Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.
ASCIA May 2005 www.allergy.org.au
Inch Ant, Bull ant ( Myrmecia pyriformis )
body length about 25 mm.
Inch or Bulldog Ants, have a sting in their abdomen/tail attached to a
venom gland. Stings can be quite painful and may result
in allergic reactions, up to and including anaphylaxis.
Secondary infection, though uncommon, may occur.
Honeybees leave their sting in the wound, but Wasps
and Ants do not, so may sting more than once.
– there are at least four to five different species including M. forficata (found in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW), M. gratiosa (Perth WA) and
M. pyriformis (found in Victoria, South Australia and NSW).
The Inch Ant stinger
Reference. NSW HEALTH Snakebite and Spiderbite Clinical Management Guidelines
Image courtesy: NSW HEALTH Snakebite and Spiderbite Clinical Management Guidelines
There are also at least two other species of jumper ants known to cause anaphylaxis in Western Australia, including M. ludlowi.
Other types of ants that can cause an anaphylactic reaction include greenhead ants – Rhytidoponera metallica – and the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, both found in Queensland.
The Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren)
The invasive Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) is well established at two locations in the Brisbane area located in
Queensland Australia.
The potential for anaphylactic events in Australia due to the Fire ant S. invicta
will be greater than for native ants because of its unusual venom, its habit of forming supercolonies in grassy areas, and its aggressive group territorial
defence, which can result in multiple stings.
The venom of S. invicta is unusual, being composed largely of alkaloids, but also including four different proteins. These proteins, as well as the non-protein components of the venom, are each individually capable of inducing anaphylaxis.
The polygynous form of S. invicta often completely dominates areas where it has invaded, forming interconnected supercolonies. Coupled with grassy areas as its preferred habitat, the probability of contact with humans is high.
Aggressive pheromone-driven group defence of territory and the colony results in a high probability of multiple stings.
Reference: The Medical Journal of Australia http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/176_11_030602/sol10016_fm.html#CACHBCGF"
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