- Camponotus coloratus :
Latin Name:Camponotus coloratus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) easy to keep but has more requirements towards humidity and temperature
Distribution:tropical Southamerica
Habitate:moist forest, second growth forest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 16mm Colour: yellowish brown, bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 8 - 10mm Colour: brown with light yellow parts
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 80% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in soil often under rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:tropical Rainforest
Decoration:branches, roots, cork, stones
Description:Camponotus cf. coloratus is sympatric to Camponotus substitutus. But they are average larger and show lesser pilosity than C. substitutus.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral
colonysize: a few 1000 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Camponotus spec. from south america - grey :
Latin Name:Camponotus spec.
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) easy to keep but has higher requirements to temperature, humidity and escapeprevention
Distribution:tropical Southamerica
Habitate:tropical Rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 12mm Colour: shiny greyish black
Worker:Size: - Colour: -
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies, Mosqitos or Crickets, also fruits
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 Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:tropical Rainforest
Decoration:Branches, Cork, Moss, Leaves
Description:-
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:
- Camponotus cf. spinolae :
Latin Name:Camponotus cf. spinolae
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escape prevention
Distribution:Southamerica
Habitate:moderate Rainforest
Colonyform:monognye
Queen:Size: 12mm Colour: black with golden hair on their gaster, head with small points, flagellum reddish
Worker:Size: 4 - 11mm Colour: black with golden hair on their gaster, head with small points, flagellum reddish
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in soil, under rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:similar to moderate Rainforest
Decoration:tropical rainforest
Description:Campontus spinolae is a beautiful antspecie from Southamerica.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral
colonysize: a few 100 individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Camponotus cf. spinolae
- Acromymrex volcanus
Latin Name:Acromymrex volcanus
Trivialname:Leafcutterant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Attini
Keeping Level:(3) through their large Space- and Foodrequirements as well as their climatecondtions only for experienced antkeepers
Distribution:Centralamerica
Habitat:rainforest, savanna
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11mm Colour: darkbrown to black
Worker:Size: 4 - 9mm Colour: minor: red to yellowish brown, major: darkbrown to black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrition:a home-grown fungus (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus) is cultivated by the workerswith the leaves and flowers of Rosaceae plants and fruits. Specific protein bodies to the fungal hyphae are harvested and fed to queen and brood. The administration ofsugar or honey Water is recommended
potential foodplants are: blackberries, raspberries, roses, boxwood, elderberry, oak, lime-tree, wild wine next to apples, 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 trees
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:Acromyrmex cf. volcanus is a small leafcutterant from Centralamerica. It`s one of the most common attini in lowlandforest of Costa Rica. Unlike Atta they perform long trek to cuttingplaces and need the longer ways to develop optimal. They cut mainly leaves, flowers and fruits.
Development:matingflight: with the first summerrains
founding: claustral with a piece of fungus from the mothercolony which is first fertilized with droppings of the Queen. A Queen can be between 8 up to 15 years old.
colonysize: not more than 20 000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Azteca xanthochroa :
Latin Name:Azteca xanthochroa
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Dolichoderinae Tribe: Leptomyrmecini
Keeping Level:(3) Species from Southamerica thith a obligate symbiose on Cecropia
Distribution:tropical/subtropical Central to Southamerica
Habitat:Cecropiatrees in tropical rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 7 - 9mm Colour: light amber
Worker:Size: 2 - 4mm Colour: light amber
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater, Proteinbodys(müllerian bodys) of there hostplant
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 24 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build a cartonnest in hollow stems of cecropia
Kind of Formicaria:
Basin, Framebasin, Island
Formicaria size:Size: XL large enough to fit cecropia plants
Substrate:Farm: - Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:Cecropiaplant
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves
Description:Azteca xanthochroa react very aggressive against nestdisturbance and attack everything thats a possible threat for their hostplant or the colony.
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
acromyrmex volcanus
- Azteca constructor :
Latin Name:Azteca constructor
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Dolichoderinae Tribe: Leptomyrmecini
Keeping Level:(3) Species from southamerica with a obligate symbiosis on cecropia plants
Distribution:tropical/subtropical Southamerica
Habitat:Cecropiatrees in forest gaps and forestedges
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 7 - 9mm Colour: chocolatebrown
Worker:Size: 2 - 4mm Colour: chocolatebrown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionProteinbodys(Müllerianbodys), honeywater
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 24 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build cartonnests in hollow stems of cecropia
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 constructor is highly aggressive and defend their hostplants against any disturbance through intruders and herbivorious animals.
Development:matingflight: with the rainseason
founding: claustral (without feeding), pleometrosis very common
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
Azteca Ants Recruit to Cecropia Leaf Damage
- Odontomachus haematodus (trap-jaw) :
Latin Name:Odontomachus haematodus
Trivialname:Trapjaw ants
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Southern United States to Argentina
Habitat:lowland rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 12 mm Colour: brown, legs yellow to reddishbrown
Worker:Size: 10 - 11mm Colour: brown, legs yellow to reddishbrown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: yellow
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 under leaf litter or in dead and rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - XL
Substrate:Farm: cork, softwood Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to tropical rainforest with different epiphyts and an extensive leaf litter
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves
Description:This is small Odontomachus from Southamerica. They are specalised on carrion and with other antsspecies like Ectatomma ruidum important for reducing carrion on Forestground. They use their mandibles as a trap for small insects thats while they they recieved the name trapjaw ants. Thats one of the fastest movements in the animalkingdom.
Development:matingflight:
founding: semiclaustral (with feeding)
colonysize: up to 200 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Ectatomma tuberculatum :
Latin Name:Ectatomma tuberculatum
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ectatomminae Tribe: Ectatommini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Mexico to northern Argentina
Habitat:tropical dry forest and wet rainforest
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 14 - 16mm Colour: orange to reddish brown
Worker:Size: 8 - 11mm Colour: orange to reddish brown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: reddish brown
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Flies or Mosquitos or small crickets
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Nest in soil at the base of tree or stem, all nest have a characteristic thatch chimney often more than one meter up the stem
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam, Humus
Planting:similar to rainforest with extrafloral bearing plants like Passiflora or Inga
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves, cocofiber,
Description:Ectatomma tuberculatum is a common and widespread Ectatomma specie in central and south America. They are strict arboreal foragers collecting nectar and prey on low vegetation. They forage mostly diurnal and show only low aggression. Even they can sting they show low use of it.
Indigenous people in south america use them since a long time as biological agent in their cotton fields.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: semiclaustral (feeding nessecary) colonyage appr. 9 - 12 years
colonysize: 400 Individuals and more, approx. 200 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Trap-Jaw Ants
- Formica (Serviformica) subsericea :
Latin Name:Formica (Serviformica) subsericea
Trivialname:Black field ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Keeping Level:(2) in small basins they make easily use of their formicacid
Distribution:Northamerica
Habitat:prefers open xeric and halfxeric grassland, avoids closed areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: approx. 12 - 15mm Colour: shiny black
Worker:Size: 4 - 8 mm Colour: shiny black, reddish-brown legs
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrition:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 20 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C
Nestform:mainly soil, sometimes also in dead wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Grassland with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:Serviformica subsericea is often be found in open forest and woodland habitats. They avoid aggressive conflicts with other antspecies.
Through their fast movements they have a effective recruitment for short-time feeding recources. Like Serviformica fusca they are often slaveants for Northamerican Slavemaker
Development:matingflight: july
founding: claustral (without feeding) but also Pleometrosis possible.
from Egg to adult worker approx.4 - 6 Weeks (depending on temperature).
colonysize: approx. 500 to 5.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
May 19th, 2016 Formica subsericea in Nucleus 360 (large ant colony)
- Prenolepis imparis :
Latin Name:Prenolepis imparis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Keeping Level:(3)need higher attention towards escape prevention, they are able to forage near zero
Distribution:Northamerica
Habitat:prefers open woodland, mainly oakforest
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: approx. 8 - 10mm Colour: honey-yellow, head small
Worker:Size: 3 - 4mm Colour: shiny black, reddish-brown legs
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 3 - 4mm Colour: black
Nutrition:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 17 - 20°C Nestpart: 17 - 20°C
Hibernation:yes, summerdormanz
Nestform:moist soil with clay
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to woodland with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:They are extraordinary ants as they have there activity maxima during coldmonth when other ants hibernate. During the summermonth they have replets with large fatbodies. These workers are the fridge for the other ants. In Nature they collect mainly honeydew, Plantjuice and dead insects.
Development:matingflight: mid march to mid april
founding: claustral (without feeding) in Pleometrosis
colonysize: approx. 500 to 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Prenolepis imparis Founding Colony Video
- Lasius neoniger :
Latin Name:Lasius neoniger
Trivialname:Cornfield ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Keeping Level:(2) higher requirements to escapeprevention
Distribution:Canada, United States, Northern Mexico
Habitat:prefers open xeric and halfxeric grassland, avoids closed areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: approx. 8mm Colour: shiny reddish brown
Worker:Size: 3 - 5 mm Colour: shiny reddish brown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrition:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 20 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C
Nestform:mainly in soil with a huge mount, sometimes also in dead wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Grassland with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:These ants look a little bit like our euopean Lasius niger but are much brighter. They are very common on open Grassland and very active Foragers. They collect honeydew, nectar and insects. Like most Lasius they have a mutualistic relationship with root aphids.
Development:matingflight: july to august
founding: claustral (without feeding) but also Pleometrosis possible
colonysize: approx. 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Lasius neoniger Queen Ant Laying an Egg
- Crematogaster cerasi :
Latin Name:Crematogaster cerasi
Trivialname:Acrobat ants
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Crematogastrini
Keeping Level:(2) need high attention to escape prevention
Distribution:Northamerica
Habitat:prefers open xeric and halfxeric grassland, avoids closed areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: approx. 8mm Colour: shiny black
Worker:Size: 3 - 5 mm Colour: Head and Thorax reddish to blackish brown, Gaster black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrition:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 20 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C
Nestform:nesting under bark or in rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Grassland with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:Crematogaster cerasi are imortant hostant for several butterflies in Northamerica e.g blue butterlies. There are also the primary diet for different woodpeckers.
Development:matingflight: August to September in the morning
founding: claustral (without feeding) , average age 10 - 15 years
colonysize: approx. a few 1000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Crematogaster cerasi Colony in New Museum Glass Habitat Nest & Microhabitat Outworld
- Aphaenogaster cf. picea :
Latin Name: Aphaenogaster cf. picea
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:United States, Canada
Habitat:prefers mesic forest areas and meadows
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 7 - 7,5mm Colour: shiny black
Worker:Size: 3,5 - 5,5mm Colour: head and gaster blackishbrown, thorax reddishyellow to reddishbrown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4mm Colour: black, antennae and legs brownishyellow
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos, seeds with elaiosomes (fatbodies) e.g. Viola spec.
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes, from october to march at 5 - 8°C
Nestform:Build their nest in logs and stumps, sometimes under stones
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 mesicforest 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 mesicforests, so a corresponding moisture should be ensured. They are solitary foragers which hunt small athropods, collect nectar and seeds. Aphaenogaster is are important genus for seed dispersal
Development:matingflight: july to august
founding: claustral (no feeding nessacary)
colonysize: a few 100 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Odontomachus erythrocephalus (trap-jaw) :
Latin Name:Odontomachus erythrocephalus
Trivialname:Trapjaw ants
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Costa Rica to West- Ecuador
Habitat:lowland rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 12 mm Colour: head red, body black, leg yellow
Worker:Size: 10 - 11mm Colour: head red, body black, leg yellow
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
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:nest in dead and rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - XL
Substrate:Farm: cork, softwood Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to tropical rainforest with different epiphyts and an extensive leaf litter
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves
Description:This is small Odontomachus from Southamerica. They are specalised on carrion and with other antsspecies like Ectatomma ruidum important for reducing carrion on Forestground. They use their mandibles as a trap for small insects thats while they they recieved the name trapjaw ants. Thats one of the fastest movements in the animalkingdom.
Development:matingflight:
founding: semiclaustral (with feeding)
colonysize: up to 200 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Trap-Jaw Ant Queen with Eggs and Larvae (Odontomachus sp.)
Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ... 1 - 2 - 3
Asia : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
Europe : - Central Europe : 1 - 2 - 3