ANTS Species :
Below is a review for ants availble for hobbyists based on www.antstore.net and videos , photos from different sources ..
- AFRICA :
- Camponotus vestitus :
Latin Name:Camponotus vestitus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with higher requirements towards climate
Distribution:Africa
Habitat:open Grassland
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: ca. 12mm Colour: head and thorax reddish, gaster anthracite with golden gloss
Worker:Size: 4-8mm, (minor-, meda-, major workers) Colour: anthracite
Soldier:-
Males:Size: - Colour:
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°C
Hibernation:
Nestform:Build their nest in soil, under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm-arena, Combi, Basin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forest- and Mountainareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots,
Description:Camponotus vestitus is a widespread species from Southern Africa, with several subspecies. Granitic soils might be preferred in nature. In its appearance there are similarities with Anoplolepis custodiens. They seem to live in rather small colonies (exact quantity unknown)
Development:matingflight:
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize:
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Camponotus cosmicus :
Latin Name:Camponotus cosmicus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with higher requirements towards climate
Distribution:Africa
Habitat:open Grassland
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: ca. 13mm Colour: black, gaster glossy golden
Worker:Size: minors 5mm, (minor-, meda-, major workers) Colour: black gaster glossy golden
Soldier:-
Males:Size: - Colour:
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in soil
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm-arena, Combi, Basin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forest- and Mountainareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:Camponotus cosmicus is a Southern African species, especially the queen has a glossy golden gaster
Development:matingflight:
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize:
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Camponotus maculatus :
Latin Name:Camponotus maculatus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers
Distribution:Africa, Greece, Middleeast
Habitat:prefers savanne and dry forest
Colonyform:monogyne, rarely oligogyne
Queen:Size: 15 - 18mm Colour: Head and Gaster black, Thorax yellow to reddishyellow, Gaster with yellow dots or stripes
Worker:Size: 8 - 16mm Colour: Head darkbrown to black; Thorax yellow, Gaster black with yellow dots or stripes, extremely polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 8 - 11mm Colour: yellow to reddish yellow, slim
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no but has an endogenic Biorhythm which causes a Diapause
Nestform:Build their nest in soil often under stones also under rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forest- and Savannaareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Leafes
Description:Camponotus maculatus is one of the largest ants in Africa and shows high activity outside the nest and during foraging. They are very aggressive against other ants and Nestdisturbance. There activity maxima lay in the evening and night.
Development:matingflight: on warm days March to April
founding: claustral (without feeding) but also Pleometrosis or Adoptions are possible.
from Egg to adult worker approx. 6 - 8 Weeks (Egg to Larvae: approx. 10 -14 days, Larvae to Pupae: approx. 12 -17 days, Pupae to worker :approx. 21 - 30 days, depending on temperature).
The main time of activity is between april to september.The lifespan of the queen can be up to 29 years and more.
colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:-
Lepisiota cf. capensis minuta :
Latin Name:Lepisiota cf. carpensis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribus:
Keeping Level:1-2
Distribution:Africa
Habitat:prefers savanne and grassland
Colonyform:monogyn
Queen:Size: ca. 5mm Colour: darkbrown-black
Worker:Size: 2-3mm Colour: black
Soldier:-
Males:Size: Colour:
Nutrition:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 23 - 26°C
Hibernation:
Nestform:Build their nest in soil, under stones often between shrubs
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: S
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to desert - and meadowareas moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, roots, treeneedels, stones
Description:Rather small ant species from Southern Africa
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize:
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Messor minor hesperius :
Latin Name:Messor minor hesperius
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(1) Easy to keep Specie from Southern Europe with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:Southern Europe, North Africa
Habitat:Sand and shrub areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 15 - 18mm Colour: shiny reddish black
Worker:Size: 3 - 14mm Colour: shiny reddish black, polymorph
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 7 - 8mm Colour: black
NutritionMostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass) but insects too
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 25 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 26°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of November until end of February at 15°C useful
Nestform:Build their nest in soil and under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Savannasareas with grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:This specie is highly granivor ant which collect all kinds of small seeds and chew them into so- called antbread. Most of their waterrequirements are covered through seeds and insects. Honeywater is only accepted when there is a lack of moisture. Messor minor hesperius tends to drown in open Water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton.
Development:matingflight: autuum
founding: claustral (without feeding) colonyage up to 25 years
colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
Messor minor hesperius
- Camponotus fellah :
Latin Name:Camponotus fellah
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers
Distribution:Northafrica
Habitat:prefers savanah and semi - desert
Colonyform:monogyne, rarely oligogyne
Queen:Size: 17 - 19mm Colour: black; Gaster/ Legs: reddish brown
Worker:Size: 7 - 18mm Colour: black; Gaster/ Legs: reddish brown, extremely polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 8 - 12mm Colour: black , slim
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no but has an endogenic Biorhythm which causes a Diapause
Nestform:Build their nest soil
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Cork, Softwood Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forest- and Mountainareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:Camponotus fellah is one of the largest ants in Africa and shows high activity outside the nest and during foraging. They are very aggressive against other ants and Nestdisturbance.
Development:matingflight: on warm days March to April
founding: claustral (without feeding) but also Pleometrosis or Adoptions are possible.
from Egg to adult worker approx. 6 - 8 Weeks (Egg to Larvae: approx. 10 -14 days, Larvae to Pupae: approx. 12 -17 days, Pupae to worker :approx. 21 - 30 days, depending on temperature).
The main time of activity is between april to september.The lifespan of the queen can be up to 29 years and more.
colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Messor marocanus :
Latin Name:Messor marocanus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(1) Species from North Africa with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:North Africa
Habitat:Sand and shrub areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 15 - 18mm Colour: shiny black
Worker:Size: 3 - 14mm Colour: shiny black, polymorph
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 7 - 8mm Colour: black
NutritionMostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass) but insects too
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 25 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 26°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in soil and under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Savanahareas with grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:This specie is highly granivor ant which collect all kinds of small seeds and chew them into so- called antbread. Most of their waterrequirements are covered through seeds and insects. Honeywater is only accepted when there is a lack of moisture. Messor marocanus tends to drown in open Water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding) colonyage up to 25 years
colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Cataglyphis viaticus :
Latin Name :Cataglyphis viaticus
Synonyms: Cataglyphis desertorum; Cataglyphis viatica
Trivialname:Desert Ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Haltungsklasse:(2) fast development which make it nessecary to enlarge the space
Distribiution:Southeurope, Northafrica
Habitate:sunexposed Sandareas, desert
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 10 - 13mm Colour: Head and Thorax red, Gaster reddish black
Worker:Size: 9 - 13mm Colour: Head and Thorax red, Gaster reddish black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 10 - 12mm Colour: Head and Thorax brownish black, legs, Antennae and Gaster reddishbrown glimmer
Nutrition:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos, small crickets
rel. AirhumidityArena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes, for 1 to 2 month at 15 - 18°C
Nestform:Build their nest in soil, often under stones
Kind of Formicaria
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
FormicariasizeSize: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand- Loam Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:xerophytic plants, Gras
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones
Description:Cataglyphis viaticus is a aggressiv fast moving ant. They have a very good visual orientation. They are member of the Cataglyphis bicolor species group of which many members are very well researched.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Cataglyphis bombycinus :
Latin Name:Cataglyphis bombycinus
Trivialname:Saharan silver ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Keeping Level:(2) shows higher requirements to climate and nutrition
Distribution:Africa, Greece, Middleeast
Habitat:prefers semi - desert and desert habitats
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11 - 12mm Colour: Head and Thorax reddishbrown, Gaster black, complete body with short hairs giving a silver shine
Worker:Size: 5,5 - 15mm Colour: Head and Thorax reddishbrown, Gaster black, complete body with short hairs giving a silver shine
Soldier:Size:15mm with large mandibles (4mm) Colour: like normal workers
Males:Size: 8,5 - 11mm Colour: black, mandibles and legs yellow, slim
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 20 - 40°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in soil
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Desert and Savannaareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones
Description:Cataglyphis bombycinus is highly heatadapted ant which forage also at temperatures up to 50°C. Through there silver shine they are also known as Saharan silverants.
They are very aggressive ant the soldiers have effective mandibles similar to Armyants in southamerica. Also sometimes under the wrong spelling Cataglyphis bombycina.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 1.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:- Forum
- Reference
- Messor arenarius :
Latin Name:Messor arenarius
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(1) Easy to keep specie from northafrica with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:Southern Europe, North Africa
Habitat:Sand and shrub areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 18 - 20mm Colour: shiny black
Worker:Size: 5 - 18mm Colour: shiny black, polymorph
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 7 - 8mm Colour: black
NutritionMostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass) but insects too
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 25 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 26°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of November until end of February at 15°C useful
Nestform:Build their nest in soil and under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Savannaareas with grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots
Description:This specie is highly granivor ant which collect all kinds of small seeds and chew them into so- called antbread. Most of their waterrequirements are covered through seeds and insects. Honeywater is only accepted when there is a lack of moisture. Messor arenarius tends to drown in open Water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding) colonyage up to 25 years
colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Camponotus storeatus :
Latin Name:Camponotus storeatus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers
Distribution:Namibia, South Africa
Habitat:prefers desert and savanne
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 17 - 18mm Colour: darkred, gaster black with a dense silver white hairness
Worker:Size: 9 - 19mm Colour: darkred, gaster black with a dense silver white hairness, polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 10 - 12mm Colour: black, slim
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no but has an endogenic Biorhythm which causes a Diapause from july to august
Nestform:Build their nest in soil often under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Desert- and Savannaareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones
Description:Camponotusstoreatus is a large Camponotus from the southern parts of Africa. They have a interesting golden coloration through the dense hairness on there gaster which make a contrast to the darkred color of there body.
Development:matingflight: november to february
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 1000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Camponotus storeatus
- Messor cephalotes :
Latin Name:Messor cephalotes
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(2) specie from eastafrica with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:Ethopien, Kenya, Tansania,
Habitat:Sand and shrub areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 23 - 25mm Colour: shiny reddish
Worker:Size: 5 - 18mm Colour: shiny reddish, polymorph
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionMostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass) but insects too
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 25 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in soil and under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Savannaareas with grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots
Description:This specie is highly granivor ant which collect all kinds of small seeds and chew them into so- called antbread. Most of their waterrequirements are covered through seeds and insects. Honeywater is only accepted when there is a lack of moisture. Messor cephalotes tends to drown in open Water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding) colonyage up to 25 years
colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Anoplolepis custodiens :
Latin Name:Anoplolepis custodiens
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Lasiini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and nutrion
Distribution:Sub- Saharan Africa (Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbawe)
Habitat:open grassland
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 13 - 15,8mm Colour: greyish brown, gaster darker, covert with silky pile
Worker:Size: 3 - 10mm Colour: reddish brown to greyish brown, Gaster darker, covert with silky pile, extremely polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 8,5 - 10,8mm Colour: brown , slim
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 24 - 30°C Nestpart: 26 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in open soil
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Desertareas with stones and xerophyts
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones
Description:Anoplolepis custodiens is the most abundant ant in sub-saharan region. They are very aggressiv against other ants but show no intraspecific aggression. The recruit very fast to new feeding rescources and build long trails from the nest to the food.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding) -
colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
26 05 2015 Messor cephalotes
Anoplolepis custodiens
- Oecophylla longinoda (weaver ants) :
Latin Name:Oecophylla longinoda
Trivialname:Weaverant, Treeant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Oecophyllini
Keeping Level:(2) higher requirements towards climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:tropical Africa
Habitat:tropical rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 12 - 14mm Colour: vigorous, yellowish brown
Worker:Size: 3 - 9mm Colour: yellowish brown to brown, slim with long extremities, polymorph
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 6 - 6,5mm Colour: blackish brown
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 35°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in the canopy of trees using the silk of there offspring
Kind of Formicaria:
Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: L - XL depending on the chosen hostplant
Substrate:Farm: - Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam suitable for Hostplant
Planting:similar to tropicalforest with moss and e. g. Money tree (Pachira aquatica), Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamini), Coffee (Coffea arabica), Citrusplant (Citrus)
Decoration:Branches, Roots
Description:Oecophylla longinoda is smaller then the asian specie but shows a greater workerpolymorphism. This antspecie lives in the canopy of different trees and plants. There they build nests with the silk of the larvae. The worker often build long chains between the leaves and "weave" with the silk. Through the Transpiration of the leaves there is always the right condtion inside the nest. Oecophylla is very aggressive and defend there territory against any Intruder. In asia they were used as biological agent for hundreds of years. They are searching for on the tree and on the ground.
Together with the leafcutter ants they show one of the most complex communication system in all social insects. It contains of pheromones, tactile and optical communication. If there a lack of food or other unsuitabel conditions they often try to escape. Large colonies with there hundreds of bites and formicacid can also defend large Intruders( Keeper).
Development:matingflight: with begin of the rainseason
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to 100 000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:- Forum
- Reference
Oecophylla longinoda
Platythyrea cribrinodis :
Latin Name:Platythyrea cribinodis
Trivialname:
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Platythyreini
Keeping Level:(2) higher requirements towards climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:tropical Eastafrica
Habitat:coastforest, savanna
Colonyform:queenless with one reproductive worker
Queen:Size: - Colour: Gamergates identical with worker
Worker:Size: 20mm Colour: black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 12,4mm Colour: blackish brown
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 26 - 35°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in moist loam and under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: L
Substrate:Farm: sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to tropicalforest but also savanna with Euphorbiacea
Decoration:Branches, Roots
Description:Platythyrea is a very ancient genus similar to Pachycondyla. They are active hunter and catch insects and other athropods. When these ants sleep they angle there legs.
Development:matingflight: with begin of the rainseason
founding: semiclaustral (with feeding)
colonysize: a few hundred Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:- Forum
- Reference
Platythyrea cribrinodis
Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ... 1 - 2 - 3
Asia : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
Europe : - Central Europe : 1 - 2 - 3