Camponotus sanctus :
Latin Name:Camponotus sanctus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers
Distribution:Northafrica, Afghanistan, Greece, Iran, Israel, Turkey
Habitat:prefers savanah and semi - desert
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 16 - 18mm Colour: black with yellow parts
Worker:Size: 7 - 16mm Colour: yellow to yellowish brown, extremely polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 10mm Colour: -
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 sanctus is a nice coloured ant from balkan 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)
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:
Cataglyphis albicans :
Latin Name:Cataglyphis albicans
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Keeping Level:(2) shows higher requirements to climate and nutrition
Distribution:Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Canary Islands, Greece, Israel, Syrian Arab Republic
Habitat:prefers steppe and semidesert
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11 - 13mm Colour: shiny black,
Worker:Size: 5,5 - 8mm Colour: shiny black, polymorph
Soldier:Size: - Colour: -
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 20 - 30°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, Leafes
Description:Cataglyphis albicans is a small Cataglyphis from northafrica and middleeast. They use the same ecological preferences then Cataglyphis bicolor. But thruogh there size and speed they are able to avoid most encounters. When they tip there Gaster forward to reduce sunexposer they often look like Spiderants of the genus Leptomyrmex.
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
- Cataglyphis oasium :
Latin Name:Cataglyphis oasium
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Keeping Level:(2) shows higher requirements to climate and nutrition
Distribution:Northafrica
Habitat:prefers steppe and semi-desert
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11 - 12mm Colour: Head and Thorax reddishbrown, Gaster black,
Worker:Size: 5,5 - 15mm Colour: Head and Thorax reddishbrown, Gaster black
Soldier:Size:-Colour: -
Males:Size: - Colour:-
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos, small crickets, Through high activity they need always fresh food
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 25 - 40°C Nestpart: 24 - 30°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 oasium is a relative of Cataglyphis bicolor and shows similar ecological preferences. With temperaturers near 30° they show their activity maxima but also need a huge amount of food.
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
Cataglyphis oasium- Nest overview 23:03:16
- Messor aegyptiacus :
Latin Name:Messor aegyptiacus
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: 15 - 18mm Colour: shiny reddish brown, Gaster black, bulky
Worker:Size: 5 - 14mm Colour: shiny reddish brown, Gaster black, polymorph
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 7,5 - 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 Savannaareas with grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots
Description:The beautiful ant has a shiny reddish brown colour and show high activity inside and outside the nest.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 aegyptiacus 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
- Messor erectus :
Latin Name:Messor erectus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(2) specie from Northafrica with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:North Africa
Habitat:Sand and shrub areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 12 - 15mm Colour: shiny reddish
Worker:Size: 4 - 8,5mm Colour: black, legs and mandibles brown, polymorph
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 9,0 - 9,5mm 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: 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 erectus 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
Messor cf. erectus
- Messor orientalis :
Latin Name:Messor orientalis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(1) Easy to keep Specie from Southern Europe with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:Central Asia, South east Europe, Middle East
Habitat:Sand and shrub areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11 - 13mm Colour: shiny black
Worker:Size: 3 - 10mm Colour: darkbrown, polymorph
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionMostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass) but insects too, Honeywater, Sugarwater
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 25 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 30°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 Savannasareas with grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones
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. They accept also honeywater and sugarsolution. Messor orientalis 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:
- Forum
- Reference
Messor Orientalis - cricket Fast
- Messor minor maurus :
Latin Name:Messor minor maurus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(1) Easy to keep Specie from Southern Europe with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:Canary Island, North Africa
Habitat:Sand and shrub areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 12 - 13mm Colour: reddish brown, Gaster black, bulky
Worker:Size: 4 - 11mm Colour: reddish brown, Gaster black, 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: 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 Savannasareas with grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones
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 maurus 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) sometimes pleometrose possible, 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
- Cataglyphis niger :
Latin Name:Cataglyphis niger
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escape prevention
Distribution:Africa, Middle East
Habitate:prefers semi - desert and desert habitats
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 14 - 15mm Colour: black
Worker:Size: 8 - 14mm Colour: black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos, small crickets
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/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:similar to Desert and Savannaareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, stones
Description:Camponotus coloratus shares the same distribution then Camponotus substitutus but prefers habitats with more vegetation. It can be found in closed forest and second growth vegetation while C. substitus is more common in disturbed areas. C. coloratus is often larger then C. subsitutus with longer legs. They can be very aggressive and show high activity outside the nest.
Development:matingflight: -
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:
Messor minor maurus and 3 queens
Cataglyphis niger
- Messor cf. denticornis :
Latin Name:Messor cf. denticornis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(2) specie from Southafrica with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:South Africa
Habitat:Sand and shrub areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 12 - 15mm Colour: shiny black
Worker:Size: 5,5 - 11mm Colour: black, legs and mandibles darkbrown, 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 cf. denticornis 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 arnoldinus :
Latin Name:Camponotus arnoldinus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers
Distribution:Southafrica
Habitat:prefers steppe, dry grassland
Colonyform:monogyne, rarely oligogyne
Queen:Size: 15 - 18mm Colour: Head and Gaster black, Thorax red to reddishyellow,
Worker:Size: 8 - 16mm Colour: Head darkbrown to black; Thorax red, Gaster black, extremely polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
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: 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 arnoldinus. 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: -
founding: -
colonysize: -
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Messor cf. decipiens :
Latin Name:Messor cf. decipiens
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(2) specie from Southafrica with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:South Africa
Habitat:Sand and shrub areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: ca. 13mm, sturdy head Colour: black
Worker:Size: polymorph (minor-, media-, major workers) , majors have a big and strong headColour: black
Soldier:-
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionMostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass) as well as insects
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-arena, Combi, Basin, 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:The species of genus Messor are highly granivor ants 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. Messorspecies tend 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: few thousand individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
Crematogaster cf. capensis :
Latin Name :Crematogaster cf. capensis
Trivialname:
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Crematogastrini
Haltungsklasse:(2) fast development which makes it nessecary to enlarge the space
Distribiution:Southern Africa
Habitate:
Colonyform:
Queen:Size: ca. 8mm Colour: brownish head and thorax, gaster black
Worker:Size: Colour:
Soldier:
Males:Size: Colour:
Nutrition:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like flies or mosquitos
rel. AirhumidityArena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:
Nestform:Build papernests in Trees and deadwood
Kind of Formicaria
Farm-arena, Combi, Basin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
FormicariasizeSize: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Cork, Softwood Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:xerophytic plants
Decoration:Branches, roots, stones, leaves, moss
Description:Crematogaster cf. capensis is a Crematogaster species from Southern Africa which builds papernests like wasps. When endangered they right up their sharpend gaster and emit a highly smelling defensive secretion
Development:matingflight:
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize:
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Crematogaster cf. sjostedti :
Latin Name :Crematogaster cf. sjostedti
Trivialname:
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Crematogastrini
Haltungsklasse:(2) fast development which makes it nessecary to enlarge the space
Distribiution:Africa
Habitate:
Colonyform:
Queen:Size: ca. 10mm Colour: black, legs darkbrown
Worker:Size: 2-3mm Colour: darkbrown, thorax lightbrown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 3 - 4mm Colour: black
Nutrition:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like flies or mosquitos
rel. AirhumidityArena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:
Nestform:Build papernests in Trees and deadwood
Kind of Formicaria
Farm-arena, Combi, Basin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
FormicariasizeSize: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Cork, Softwood Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:xerophytic plants
Decoration:Branches, roots, stones, leaves, moss
Description:Crematogaster cf. sjostedti is a Crematogaster species from Southern Africa which builds papernests like wasps. When endangered they right up their sharpend gaster and emit a highly smelling defensive secretion
Development:matingflight:
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize:
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Camponotus flavomarginatus :
Latin Name:Camponotus flavomarginatus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1)
Distribution:South Africa
Habitat:prefers desert and savanne
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: ca. 13mm Colour: black shimmering, little hairy gaster
Worker:Size: minor workers ca. 6mm Colour: black shimmering, different sizes (polymorph)
Soldier:none
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: 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: 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:Camponotus flavomarginatus is an African Camponotus species with conspicious gloss and a pubescency gaster. It's foraging near-ground, frequently on herbaceousvegetation.
Development:matingflight:
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: unknown
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ... 1 - 2 - 3
Asia : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
Europe : - Central Europe : 1 - 2 - 3