Not to be an insect know-it-all, but all ants (Family:Formicidae) are evolutionarily descended from the ancient, wasp-like Infraorder Aculeata, which includes all eusocial Hymenopterans (bees, wasps, ants). Technically, all Aculeates have modified ovipositors for stinging(ants, bees, stinging wasps), and is thought to be the original impetus for eusocial behavior. But since it is such an ancient evolutionary adaptation (about 100 million years), it has since been modified for other behaviors (specialized egg laying) or lost altogether (most ants), but still exists in some of the more ancient lineages of Formicidae (bulldog ants).Re: discussion on wasps & hornets:
Bulldog ants = an ant that is an evolutionary offshot of a wasp that grabs your skin with their mandibles and stings you with the tail. They live in the under growth so if you're clearing fallen branches and logs, they might be there and not as easy to see as a hornet or wasp. I've been got a few times, never saw the fucker until you get that double hit of bite then sting.
Advice: Wear gloves.
that's a shot of it next to a ruler for size, they grow to over an inch long. Yeah!!
There's no such thing as an ant that's an "evolutionary offshoot" of what you would consider a modern wasp.the fuck you just say?
Nerd post in a spider thread with no mention of spiders, 0/10Not to be an insect know-it-all, but all ants (Family:Formicidae) are evolutionarily descended from the ancient, wasp-like Infraorder Aculeata, which includes all eusocial Hymenopterans (bees, wasps, ants). Technically, all Aculeates have modified ovipositors for stinging(ants, bees, stinging wasps), and is thought to be the original impetus for eusocial behavior. But since it is such an ancient evolutionary adaptation (about 100 million years), it has since been modified for other behaviors (specialized egg laying) or lost altogether (most ants), but still exists in some of the more ancient lineages of Formicidae (bulldog ants).
Bulldog ants, genusMyrmeciaare only found in Australia, save for one species in New Caledonia and are in the ant family, Formicidae, not one of the various wasp families which would indicate an evolutionary offshoot of a wasp.
sources:
Myrmecia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie
Aculeata - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nerd post in a spider thread with no mention of spiders, 0/10
Dat some Funnel Web Spider? AKA my worst nightmare.Nah I thought it was all cool. I learnt some things.
What I had in my earlier post, I probably heard as a teenager, and got some of it backwards.
When you've had a sting from one of those things ( bulldog ant ) you'll know it's comparable to a wasp. So it's a quick link to make.
- - - -
edit added for the spider thread:
This thing will kill you.
I think that's the Brazilian Wandering Spider, deadliest spider in the world iircDat some Funnel Web Spider? AKA my worst nightmare.
Aside from causing intense pain, the venom of the spider can also causepriapismin humans. Erections resulting from the bite are uncomfortable, can last for many hours and can lead to impotence. A component of the venom (Tx2-6) is being studied for use in erectile dysfunction treatments.
Brazilian Wandering Spiders are the spider bros that make our Viagra.Priapism is a potentially painful medical condition in which the erect penis does not return to its flaccid state, despite the absence of both physical and psychological stimulation, within four hours.
UCR Spiders Site: Daddy Long Legs MythThe latter title belongs to the daddy long legs.
And small ass Jellyfish that can paralyze the fuck out of you.Fucking Australia man. Too much shit can kill you down under. Beautiful beaches, but fuck the spiders, crocodiles, great white sharks, bulldog ants, and death adders.