 Myrmecia is a genus of ants first established by Danish zoologist Johan Christian Fabricius in 1804 . The genus is a member of the subfamily Myrmeciinae of the family Formicidae . Myrmecia is a large genus of ants , comprising at least 93 species that are found throughout Australia and its coastal islands , while a single species is only known from New Caledonia . One species has been introduced out of its natural distribution and was found in New Zealand in 1940 , but the ant was last seen in 1981 . These ants are commonly known as " bulldog ants " or " jack jumper " ants , and are also associated with many other common names . They are characterised by their extreme aggressiveness , ferocity , and painful stings . Some species are known for the jumping behaviour they exhibit when agitated . 
