Large Purple Meat Ant - Iridomyrmex purpureus

The meat ant , also known as the gravel ant or southern meat ant, is a species of ant endemic to Australia. A member of the genus ''Iridomyrmex'' in the subfamily Dolichoderinae, it was described by British entomologist Frederick Smith in 1858. The meat ant is associated with many common names due to its appearance, nest building behaviour and abundance, of which its specific name, ''purpureus'' refers to its coloured appearance. It is among the best-known species of ant found throughout Australia,.. more