Giant ant

Giant ants are large mutated arthropod insects of the Formicidae family, genus Camponotus, most likely black carpenter ants. Some scientists theorize this mutation comes from the effects of extended exposure to radiation.

Giant ant


What they lack in individual fortitude, they make up for with relentless attacks and swarm tactics. Their exoskeleton isn't particularly thick, but it can turn aside weak punches and dull knives. Their mandibles can cut through most leather and plastic with ease, even snapping bones on a lucky hit. Giant ants become particularly aggressive when their queen is threatened.

Giant ant queen


The mother of the ant brood, this variant is roughly four to five times larger than the average giant ant. When threatened, her wings buzz about and she will hiss at the enemy. She will then proceed to spit an acidic saliva at the enemy in an attempt to ward them off.

Giant soldier ant


These are the colony's main defense against intruders. They are plentiful and can often overwhelm an enemy by either running it off or killing it on the spot; usually the latter. This ant can often be found accompanying smaller ants as they forage.

Giant worker ant


As their name suggests, these ants do most of the work around the colony.

Invader ant


Two of them may be found attacking the Mutated Forager Ants in Shalebridge Tunnels.

Mutated forager ant


They are friendly and won't attack, even if they are attacked.

Giant albino ant


A rare variation, these are found in the Hoover Dam Scum Pits. Their exoskeleton is a very pale yellow that almost looks white. Their eyes glow red like the giant albino rat, and their mandibles glow green and drip an acidic green fluid. Small numbers of these ants live in a nest back in the office area. They are ravenous and will come out fairly often to catch and drag a rat or leech back into their dark lair.

Giant albino ant queen


The giant albino ant queen is found in the ant hive located in the Scum Pits of Hoover Dam. Unlike the Giant albino ant, the queen's exoskeleton is only very pale on her abdomen.

Appearances
 Giant ants appear in Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, J.E. Sawyer's Fallout Role-Playing Game and were due to appear in Van Buren, the canceled Fallout 3 by Black Isle Studios. A friendly giant ant called Mr. Pinch is used as a mount by the Puppet Man in the official One Man, and a Crate of Puppets comic by Penny Arcade.

Behind the scenes
Like many other creatures in the Fallout series, the giant ant draws from old black and white cinema, particularly the movie "Them!".