Crematogaster – Cocktail ants. One of the largest ant genera on the planet, with 500+ recorded species and about 300 subspecies. A nest in the making, this species of Crematogaster peringueyi construct ‘carton’ nests of chewed vegetable matter. Their activities also include ‘farming’ of plant pests such as aphids and mealybugs.
Doesn’t that name conjure up imaginative scenes – a raft of boozy ants over gin and tonics…. But it’s all to do with the defensive action of “cocking” their tails when alarmed. I have yet to photograph such a moment of action – will give it a try one of these days!
Nature on the Edge 
I wonder why the are called ‘cocktail’ ants?? Any idea?
Doesn’t that name conjure up imaginative scenes – a raft of boozy ants over gin and tonics…. But it’s all to do with the defensive action of “cocking” their tails when alarmed. I have yet to photograph such a moment of action – will give it a try one of these days!
😀 Ohhh, okay, now that makes sense! Hope to see a post of that action here one day. 🙂
I never thought of an ant having a tail. I guess tail is being used loosely for the hindmost part of the abdomen.
Fascinating creatures these are.
They certainly are! Chuffed to find them in the garden and now trying to track their larger actions to investigate their farming activities.