Mai Putitja and Irmangka-Irmangka

Bush Tucker and Bush Medicine

around Coober Pedy

Contents · Introduction · Bibliography
left.gif (12828 bytes)

Parka-Parka and Nyinkini

Text Only

Urpa and Anumara

right.gif (14030 bytes)

Tjala

 

Tjala

Camponotus inflatus; Melophorus bagoti      Honey Ant

tjalasmall.jpg (3760 bytes)
Tjala - Honey Ant

Tjala, Honey Ants, nest in the ground beneath Mulga trees. They collect the honeydew made by the Kurkunytjungu (Red Mulga Lerp) (Austrotachardia acaciae) and store it in their nest in special worker ants. Deep in the nest, these ants with swollen abdomens store the honey for the rest of the ant colony.

digingtjalasmall.jpg (4839 bytes)
Digging for Tjala

Once a nest is located, the ants can be dug up and removed. Only the amber coloured abdomen of the ant is eaten, while holding the head and legs between the fingers.

tjala2.jpg (4280 bytes)
Freshly dug Tjala

top.gif (18909 bytes)

Up to top of page

Contents ·

Introduction

· Bibliography
left.gif (12828 bytes)

Parka-Parka and Nyinkini

Text Only

Urpa and Anumara

right.gif (14030 bytes)