''Iridomyrmex galbanus'' is a species of
ant in 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 ...
''. Described by Shattuck in 1993, the ant is mainly confined to the
Eyre peninsula
The Eyre Peninsula is a triangular peninsula in South Australia. It is bounded by the Spencer Gulf on the east, the Great Australian Bight on the west, and the Gawler Ranges to the north.
Originally called Eyre’s Peninsula, it was named aft ...
in
South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
, but other populations of the species have been identified in several other states in
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
.
[Shattuck, S. O. 1993a. Revision of the ''Iridomyrmex purpureus'' species-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). ''Invertebr. Taxon''. 7: 113-149 (page 121, fig. 10 worker described)]
A journal article shows that the species favours particular types of soil.
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]
References
Iridomyrmex
Hymenoptera of Australia
Insects described in 1993
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