These ants are amongst the most entertaining creatures in the Australian tropics. They make their nests in clusters of living leaves,
and defend their nests vigorously against attack. Their nests are rather well camouflaged and in a line of people marching through
the bush it is usually the third in line who cops the wrath of the ants. As these ants do not sting, but rather spray their foes with
formic acid, it is often possible to become seriously covered in ants before their presence amongst clothing on the more sensitive
parts is discovered, resulting in a rapid strip tease accompanied by an interesting performance of apparent self-flagellation.


In some parts of northern Australia these ants are used by Aboriginal people as a medicine for the symptoms of colds.
The whole nest is rapidly crushed and inhaled, the formic acid clearing the sinuses rapidly.