- Azteca alfari :
Latin Name:Azteca alfari
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Dolichoderinae Tribe: Leptomyrmecini
Keeping Level:(3) Species from Southamerica with a obligate symbiosis on cecropiatrees
Distribution:tropical/subtropical Southamerica
Habitat:Cecropiatrees in open and highly disturbed areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 7 - 9mm Colour: amberbrown
Worker:Size: 2 - 4mm Colour: reddishbrown to amber
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos, The diet with only müllerian bodys of cecproia is still not resolved
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in hollow stems of cecropia, polydom
Kind of Formicaria:
Basin, Framebasin, Island
Formicaria size:Size: XL large enough to fit ceropia plants
Substrate:Farm: - Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:Cecropiaplant
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves
Description:Azteca alfari is the most common cecropia ant and can be found in wide range of southamerica. Esspacially in highly disturbed areas they are the dominant specie on Cecropia plants. They aren`t very effective in defending their hostplant against herbvior predators. Small colonies react very aggressive against disturbance while older colonies only show low aggressions against intruders.
Development:matingflight: with the rainseason
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) and a Cecropia plant 40-50cm.
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Camponotus rectangularis :
Latin Name:Camponotus rectangularis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) easy to keep but with higher requirements to escapeprevention
Distribution:Central- to Southamerica
Habitat:xeric and synanthropogenic habitats
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 7mm Colour: yellowish brown
Worker:Size: 8 - 11mm Colour: yellowish brown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Flies or Mosquitos or small crickets
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in dead branches and stems, also in many xeric epiphytes
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, Cork Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to savannah with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves,
Description:Its a ant with low aggression and an interessting flat head. It`s often found in Tillandsia and anthropogenic formed areas.
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:
Camponotus rectangularis
- Atta colombica :
Latin Name:Atta colombica
Trivialname:Leafcutterant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Attini
Keeping Level:(3) through their large Space- and Foodrequirements as well as their climateconditions they are only for experienced antkeepers
Distribution:Central- to Southamerica
Habitat:tropical Rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 30mm Colour: redbrown
Worker:Size: 3 - 16mm Colour: redbrown, polymorph
Soldier:18 - 23mm, good developed heads
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrition:a home-grown fungus (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus) is cultivated by the workers with the leaves andflowers of Rosaceae plants and fruits. Specific protein bodies to the fungal hyphae are harvested and fed toqueen and brood. The administration of sugar or honey Water is recommended
potential foodplants are: blackberries, raspberries, roses, boxwood, elderberry, oak, lime-tree, wild wine next toapples, orange, banana, grapes in an emergency also oatflakes
It`s recommended to moisten the leaves before feeding.
The feeding of sumach leaves should be avoided at all costs, as these are toxic to the fungus.
Airhumidity:Arena: 40 - 70% Nestpart: 80 - 90% Garbagechamber: 30 - 40%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in soil
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: XL !!! with growing of the colony a least 3 Basins for Fungus, Feeding and Garbage !!!
Substrate:Farm: - Arena: Potterclay, Perlite, Humus, Sand-Loam
Planting:-
Decoration:-
Description:fungus cultivating ant-specie, cutting leaves which process to pulp is the basis of their fungus cultivation.
Development:matingflight: with the first summerrains
founding: claustral with a piece fungus from the mothercolony which is first fertilized with dropping of the Queen. A Queen can be up to 15 years
colonysize: up to 8.000 000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Odontomachus spec. (trap-jaw) :
Latin Name:Odontomachus spec.
Trivialname:Trapjaw ants
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Central and South America
Habitat:wetforest and low land rainforest
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 15 - 18 mm Colour: darkbrown to black
Worker:Size: 14 - 17 mm Colour: darkbrown to black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4mm Colour: blackish brown
Nutritionliving insects like fruit flies,spring tails, mealworm and sugar-, or honey water
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:mainly inside of epiphytic bromeliads e.g. Vriesea spec.
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to tropical rainforest with different epiphyts
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves
Description:One of the biggest species of Odontomachus. The high humidity should be ensured. They are single foragers and they never hunt on the ground.
Development:matingflight:
founding: semiclaustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to 500 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Aphaenogaster cf. araneoides :
Latin Name: Aphaenogaster cf. araneoides
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:centralamerica
Habitat:prefers wet to moist forest habitats
Colonyform:monogyne rarely polygyne (1 - 2)
Queen:Size: 10 - 10,5mm Colour: darkred, brownish, ergatomorph
Worker:Size: 7,5 - 10mm Colour: darkred,brownish
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 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
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, Cork Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to rainforest with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves,
Description:Due to their fairly long limbs they look a little like spiders which is where its name comes from. In nature they live mainly in rainforests, so a corresponding humidity should be ensured. They are solitary foragers which hunt small athropods.
Development:matingflight:
founding: semiclaustral (feeding nessacary)
colonysize: small colonies between 50 - 200 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Pachycondyla purpurascens :
Latin Name:Pachycondyla purpurascens
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Southamerica
Habitat:tropical wetforest and cloudforest
Colonyform:monogyne, reproductive worker produce males
Queen:Size: 20 mm Colour: shiny black, bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 17 - 20 mm Colour: shiny black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutritionliving insects like fruit flies,spring tails, mealworm and sugar-, or honey waterthey no socialstomach so honeywater or sugarsolution must more fluend.
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 25 - 30°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest mainly in rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, humus Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam, Humus
Planting:similar to tropical rainforest
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves
Description:e.g. in the rain forest areas of Costa Rica a common species. Foraging workers can move very quick and then seem to be "nervous". The antennas can vibrate. Sometimes they are looking for nutrition by the so called tandem running. They are rather diurnal, workers looking for nutrition at night haven't been observed yet.
Development:matingflight:
founding: semiclaustral (with feeding)
colonysize: up to 500 Individuals in captivity
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Pachycondyla purpurascens
- Pachycondyla impressa :
Latin Name:Pachycondyla impressa
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) can sting painful and are very sensitive to variations in their protein supply
Distribution:Central- and Southamerica
Habitate:tropical rainforest
Colonyform:monogyn
Queen:Size: 20mm Colour: black;
Worker:Size: 20 - 21 mm Colour: black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 22 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°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, Humus Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam,
Planting:similar to Forestareas with moss and tropicalvegetation
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:Pachycondyla impressa is the biggest Pachycondyla in Southamerica. They are relatively rare and make small colonies.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: semiclaustral
colonysize: only a few hundred worker
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Dolichoderus attelaboides :
Latin Name:Dolichoderus attelaboides
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Dolichoderinae Tribe: Dolichoderini
Keeping Level:(2) higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:tropical Southamerica
Habitate:tropical lowland Rainforest
Colonyform:probably polygyn
Queen:Size: 13-14 mm Colour: red, brown, black
Worker:Size: 11-13 mm Colour: red, brown, black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos, fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 80% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:cartonnest between branches and leaves
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Humus, Sand-loam Arena: Humus, Sand-loam
Planting:similar to tropical rainforest
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaflitter,
Description:Dolichoderus attelaboides is one of the most common ants in the forest of Southamerica. They build large colonies and like most Dolichoderus species they tend heminopetransto collect honeydew. In there natural habitat they use excrements of planteater like deers and Tapirs to build there nests.
Development:matingflight: jan, feb, march, june, july, oct., nov.
founding: semiclaustral
colonysize: a few 1000 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Cephalotes pusillus :
Latin Name:Cephalotes pusillus
Trivialname:Gliding ant, Turtle ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Cephalotini
Keeping Level:(2) this is a arboreal ant with higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribiution:Southamerica
Habitate:aboreal ant which lives in small sticks, branches or hollow stems
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 9 mm Colour: silver- black
Worker:Size: 3 - 7 mm Colour: black, silver shine, except the gaster pointed
Soldier:yes doorkeepermoph
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in sticks, dry branches or hollow stems
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Cork, Softwood Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:plants with extrafloral nectaria like Passiflora
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:This is a small and very common Cephalotes which can be found all over southamerica. They are shy and like a real turtle they dodge if they are attacked through other animals.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral
colonysize: a few hundred workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Cephalotes cf. pusillus- worker is licking a dropplet of water
- Gigantiops destructor :
Latin Name:Gigantiops destructor
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Gigantiopini
Keeping Level:(2) very aggressiv and make easely use of there Formicacid
Distribiution:tropical southamerica
Habitate:rainforest rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 15 mm Colour: shiny black, with yellow antenna
Worker:Size: 10 - 15 mm Colour: shiny black with yellow antenna
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: black , slim
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 80% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest soil or empty termitenests and hollow trees
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder,Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Cork, Softwood, Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to tropical rainforest
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:Gigantiops destructor have large which enables them to hunt on sight. They are able to jump and follow intruders with there head. Like forage on low vegetation.
Development:matingflight: with begin of the rainseason
founding: semiclaustral
colonysize: a few hundred workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
destructor Gigantiops
- Camponotus cf. rufipes :
Latin Name:Camponotus rufipes
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) easy to keep but has higher requirments towards Temperature and Humidity
Distribution:tropical Southamerica
Habitate:tropical Rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 17mm Colour: red with strong pilosity
Worker:Size: 9 - 13mm Colour: red with strong pilosity
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 10 - 11mm Colour: black
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos, but also fruits like grapes or bananas
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 80% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in soil
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam, mold Arena: Sand-loam, mold
Planting: tropical Rainforest
Decoration:branches, moss, stones, cork
Description:Camponotus rufipes is large grey ant with red hair all over their body. They are active Foodcollector and always on search for new resources.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral
colonysize: a few thousand workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Camponotus Rufipes
Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ... 1 - 2 - 3
Asia : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
Europe : - Central Europe : 1 - 2 - 3