''Iridomyrmex atypicus'' is a species of ant of the genus

Iridomyrmex ''Iridomyrmex'' is a genus of ants called rainbow ants (referring to their blue-green iridescent sheen) first described by Austrian entomologist Gustav Mayr in 1862. He placed the genus in the subfamily Dolichoderinae of the family Formicida ...

. It was recently described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011. Specimens recorded were only found in Lake Mere in

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

. They were only found in paddocks.

Etymology

The ant has its name due to its distinctive nature of its appearance.

References

Iridomyrmex Hymenoptera of Australia Insects described in 2011 {{Iridomyrmex-stub