Nocturnal Bull Ants

Scientists at Macquarie University, have recently discovered that two nocturnal bull ant species (Myrmecia pyriformis and Myrmecia midas) use polarised moonlight to navigate at night.

• About the Nocturnal Bull Ants: These are ants that are active at night and use polarized light to navigate. They are the first known animals to use moonlight for navigation. 
• Moon Visibility: Varies due to waxing, waning, cloud cover, or tree canopies.
• Key Findings:

o Polarised Moonlight: Myrmecia pyriformis & Myrmecia midas navigate using polarised moonlight, which serves as a natural compass.

o Lunar Cycle Navigation: Their ability to use polarised moonlight throughout the lunar cycle has now been confirmed.

o Foraging Patterns: M. midas ants are most active overnight, while M. pyriformis ants forage more during full-moon nights.

o E-vector Pattern: Both sunlight and moonlight become linearly polarised after scattering in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating an e-vector pattern for orientation.