Myrmecia (ant) encountered before. Based on five species, the median lethal dose (LD) is 0.18–0.35 mg/kg, making it among the most toxic venoms in the insect world. The toxicity of the venom may have evolved due to the intense predation by animals and birds during the day, since "Myrmecia" is primarily diurnal. In Tasmania, 2–3% of the human population is allergic to "M. pilosula" venom. In comparison, only 1.6% people are allergic to the venom of the western honeybee ("Apis mellifera"), and 0.6% to the venom of the European wasp ("Vespula germanica"). In a 2011 Australian ant-venom allergy study, the objective of
Myrmecia (ant) the venoms from these ants are among the most toxic in the insect world. In Tasmania, 3% of the human population are allergic to the venom of "M. pilosula" and can suffer life-threatening anaphylactic reactions if stung; many human deaths have been recorded. People prone to severe allergic reactions can be treated with allergen immunotherapy (desensitisation). The generic name "Myrmecia" derives from Greek word "Myrmec-" (+ -"ia"), meaning "ant". In Western Australia, the Australian Aborigines called these ants "kallili" or "killal", meaning "lion-ant". Ants of this genus are popularly known as bulldog ants, bull ants or jack jumper ants. This