 Most species are diurnal , and forage on the ground or onto low vegetation in search of food , but a few are nocturnal and only forage at night . Most Myrmecia ants are active during the warmer months , and are dormant during winter . However , M. pyriformis is a nocturnal species that is active throughout the whole year . M. pyriformis also has a unique foraging schedule ; 65 % of individuals who went out to forage left the nest in 40 – 60 minutes , while 60 % of workers would return to the nest in the same duration of time at dusk . Foraging workers rely on landmarks for navigation back home . If displaced a short distance , they will scan their surroundings , and then rapidly move in the direction of the nest . M. vindex ants carry dead nest @-@ mates out of their nests and place them on refuse piles , a behaviour known as <unk> . 
