Mem. Nar. Mus. Vicr., 13, 1943. 
A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY 
(FORMICIDAE). 
By John Clark, 
Entomologist, National Museum. 
Plates XII-XVII. 
Following a study of the large Australian genus Myrmecia it 
has been considered necessary to divide the species still further. 
At present two subgenera are recognized ; they are Myrmecia s. str. 
and Promyrmecia Emery. In the following pages it is proposed 
to raise Promyrmecia to full generic rank as their stature and 
jumping habits render them quite distinct from the large non- 
jumpers of the genus Myrmecia. The status and species of the 
genus Myrmecia will be dealt with in a subsequent paper. 
In the genus Promyrmecia 55 forms are recorded herein; of 
these 24 are described as new. Most of the species are very local 
and rare, few being at all common. Only one species, P. pilosula 
Smith, the ‘‘black jumper,’’ is found in all the States. With our 
present knowledge little can be said on the distribution of the 
genus. The species appear to be found mainly in Southern 
Australia, ranging round the coastal area from Geraldton, West- 
ern Australia, to Cairns, North Queensland. Few are known from 
more than one hundred miles inland and none from North-Western 
Australia and Northern Territory. 
Many of the species construct a mound over the nest and a few 
make their nest under large stones or logs. The majority nest deep 
in the ground, generally the nest is about 18 inches deep without 
traces of a mound; such nests are difficult to find unless the ants 
are seen to enter or leave. These nests have several small entrances 
scattered over about two square feet. When disturbed the ants 
swarm out from all entrances and advance in a series of jumps, 
the jump averaging one and one-half inches along the ground and 
about half that in height. The longest jump so far measured is 
three and one-fourth inches. Most of the species are very savage, 
while a few are quite timid, but all sting severely. 
The males and females fly during the summer months, mostly 
during January and February. 
Unless otherwise stated the Types are in the National Museum, 
Melbourne. 
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