The blue ant (Diamma bicolor), also known as the blue-ant or bluebottle, despite its name and appearance, is not an ant, but rather a species of large, solitary, parasitic wasp sometimes known as a flower wasp. It is native to south and southeast Australia, including the states of Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. It is the sole member of the subfamily Diamminae and the genus Diamma, and is both morphologically and behaviorally unusual among members of the family Tiphiidae.
Blue ants have a distinctive metallic blue-green body, with red legs. The female ranges up to 25 mm (1 in) in length, is wingless and ground-dwelling, and exclusively hunts mole crickets, whereas all other species of tiphiids attack beetle larvae. The cricket is paralysed with venom injected by the female's stinger and an egg is laid upon it so the wasp larva has a ready supply of food. The male is smaller, about 15 mm (5⁄8 in), and has wings. Adults feed on nectar and pollinate various native Australian flowers.
The sting of the blue ant can cause a severe burning sensation and swelling in humans; in rare cases, it can cause a life-threatening reaction (such as anaphylaxis).
The blue ant (Diamma bicolor), also known as the blue-ant or bluebottle, despite its name and appearance, is not an ant, but rather a species of large, solitary, parasitic wasp sometimes known as a flower wasp. It is native to south and southeast Australia, including the states of Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. It is the sole member of the subfamily Diamminae and the genus Diamma, and is both morphologically and behaviorally unusual among members of the family Tiphiidae.
Blue ants have a distinctive metallic blue-green body, with red legs. The female ranges up to 25 mm (1 in) in length, is wingless and ground-dwelling, and exclusively hunts mole crickets, whereas all other species of tiphiids attack beetle larvae. The cricket is paralysed with venom injected by the female's stinger and an egg is laid upon it so the wasp larva has a ready supply of food. The male is smaller, about 15 mm (5⁄8 in), and has wings. Adults feed on nectar and pollinate various native Australian flowers.
The sting of the blue ant can cause a severe burning sensation and swelling in humans; in rare cases, it can cause a life-threatening reaction (such as anaphylaxis).
Blue ant female 
Blue ant female with damaged antennae
La hormiga azul (Diamma bicolor) es una especie de himenóptero apócrito de la familia Thynnidae (avispas de las flores) que, a pesar de su nombre común y su semejanza a una hormiga, no lo es. Es la única especie de la subfamilia Diamminae y del género Diamma.
Es de gran tamaño, solitaria y parásita. Es endémica del sur y sudeste de Australia, concretamente de los estados de Tasmania, Nueva Gales del Sur, Victoria y Australia del Sur.
Las hormigas azules tiene un característico cuerpo de color verdeazulado metálico, con patas rojas. Las hembras llegan a alcanzar una longitud de 25 mm. Carecen de alas y habitan en el suelo, alimentándose de otros insectos terrestres y subterráneos, como grillos topo y larvas de escarabajos. La presa es paralizada por el aguijón de la hembra, que pone un huevo sobre ella, y así la larva de avispa tiene abundante provisión de comida.
El macho es de tamaño más pequeño (unos 15 mm), y está provisto de alas. Los ejemplares adultos se alimentan de néctar y ayudan a polinizar varias especies nativas de flores australianas.
Su picadura puede causar una fuerte sensación de ardor e hinchazón a los humanos. En muy pocas ocasiones, puede producir una reacción con riesgo de muerte por anafilaxis.
Diamma bicolor est une espèce de guêpes solitaires originaire d'Australie. Les femelles sont aptères et ressemblent à de grosses fourmis bleues. Elle creusent des terriers et chassent au sol criquets ou larves de coléoptères dans lesquelles elles pondent un œuf après les avoir paralysés d'un coup de dard. Transportée dans le terrier, la proie servira de réservoir de nourriture à sa larve.
Les adultes se nourrissent de nectar et jouent un rôle important dans la pollinisation des plantes locales. Les femelles mesurent environ 25 mm alors que les mâles ne dépassent pas 15 mm. Les mâles possèdent des ailes et l'accouplement a lieu en vol, le mâle transportant la femelle.
Une piqûre de Diamma bicolor est très douloureuse.
Diamma bicolor est une espèce de guêpes solitaires originaire d'Australie. Les femelles sont aptères et ressemblent à de grosses fourmis bleues. Elle creusent des terriers et chassent au sol criquets ou larves de coléoptères dans lesquelles elles pondent un œuf après les avoir paralysés d'un coup de dard. Transportée dans le terrier, la proie servira de réservoir de nourriture à sa larve.
Les adultes se nourrissent de nectar et jouent un rôle important dans la pollinisation des plantes locales. Les femelles mesurent environ 25 mm alors que les mâles ne dépassent pas 15 mm. Les mâles possèdent des ailes et l'accouplement a lieu en vol, le mâle transportant la femelle.
Une piqûre de Diamma bicolor est très douloureuse.
Diamma bicolor Westwood, 1835 è un Thynnidae, unica specie della sottofamiglia Diamminae e del genere Diamma.
Le femmine raggiungono i 25 mm e sono attere, mentre i maschi sono più piccoli (circa 15 mm) e sono dotati di ali.
Le femmine cacciano esclusivamente grillotalpidi. Le uova vengono deposte dopo che la preda è stata paralizzata e in seguito, una volta schiusasi la larva, si ciberà della preda. I maschi adulti si cibano di nettare e polline.[1]
La specie è presente in Australia.
Diamma bicolor Westwood, 1835 è un Thynnidae, unica specie della sottofamiglia Diamminae e del genere Diamma.
