''Iridomyrmex phillipensis'' 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 Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, the ant is the only species endemic to

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 ...

to not actually live in the country itself, but instead lives in territory that belongs to Australia.

Etymology

The name of the ant is in reference to the location of the first specimens of the species was collected.

References

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