Grassland bullants?Myrmecia nobilis?live in the native grasslands of Melbourne. Less than 0.5% of the native grasslands that once stretched from the Yarra River to the South Australian border survive.

Victorian National Parks Association’s (VNPA)?Melbourne‘s Grassland Bullant?report is the first dedicated study of these rare ants.

‘I was amazed when I first heard about Myrmecia nobilis, I had never imagined there would be a rare grassland specialist bullant, let alone one found only in Melbourne.’ said Adrian Marshall, Grassy Plains Network Facilitator at VNPA.

‘Understanding these ants better is essential if we’re going to save both them and the grasslands they call home.’

Credit: Ian Smith

The grassy bullants forage through leaf litter and around the base of grass tussocks, hunting weevils to feed their larvae. They can tolerate the baking heat of open grasslands in Summer, heat that keeps competitor ant species away. They don’t depend on nectar, giving them a leg up in grasslands where flowering plants can be sparse.

But the same traits that give them an edge have also made them vulnerable. They rely on grassy habitat that has largely been decimated. Queens are flightless, meaning new colonies are difficult to start when habitat is fragmented. Colonies are small, at around 20 ants. And fire poses a direct risk, particularly in Autumn when the queens are dispersing to build new colonies.

These rare ants need protection to survive. A submission has been made to Victoria’s Scientific Advisory Committee requesting they list Myrmecia nobilis?as threatened under the?Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act, the state’s main nature protection law. A successful listing would provide greater legal protection, raise awareness, and help attract research funding.

VNPA’s report, funded by Community Bank – Altona and Laverton and developed with a group of naturalists, also identifies how to look after grasslands where the ants live. Careful use of fire as a management tool, limits on tree encroachment near nesting sites, avoiding soil compaction, and maintaining open grassland structure are key.

This report only scratches the surface of the lives of these grassland bullants. But it’s already clear that greater protection and restoration of threatened grasslands in Melbourne is needed to look after these unique ants.

More info and full report on Myrmecia nobilis – https://vnpa.org.au/grassland-bullant/

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