AbstractThe skeletomusculatures of the sting apparatuses of Nothomyrmecia macrops Clark and several Myrmecia species are described and compared to each other, and to those of other ants and Hymenoptera. Although Nothomyrmecia is often considered the most primitive living ant, its sting apparatus is more derived than those of Myrmecia and the primitive ponerine Amblyopone. Stings of these three genera show no clear derivation from those of other Hymenoptera.