IRIDOMYRMEX

These are one of the most commonly encountered group of ants in Australia. They dominate the ecosystem and in fact dictate the foraging and activity pattern of ants around them. The only manner in which other ants manage to inhabit the same niche is by foraging at different times of the day compared to Iridomyrmex. These ants are highly territorial and display ritual dances at the territorial boundaries which often involves kickboxing and standing on tips of their legs like ballet dancers! They establish polydomous terrestrial nests, with nest entrances often covered with small pebbles. Nearly 80 species and subspecies are known from this genus (Australian Ants Online).