- Heteroponera carinifrons :
Latin Name:Heteroponera carinifrons
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Heteroponerinae Tribe: Heteroponerini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escape prevention
Distribution:Chile
Habitate:deciduous forest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 3 - 5mm Colour: black - blackish brown, legs reddish brown
Worker:Size: 3 - 5mm Colour: black - blackish brown, legs reddish brown, monomorph
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:Honeywater and small insects e.g. microcrickets, springtails, Isopods
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes, 2 - 3 Month lowering the temperature to 15 - 18°C (unheated room)
Nestform:nest in dead wood, sometimes in soil
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: cork, softwood, sand- Loam Arena: sand-loam
Planting:similar to european deciduous forests
Decoration:Roots, Stones, Moss, Twigs, leaves
Description:Heteroponera carinifrons is a hypogaic ant endemic to chile. These ant are small but can cause serious healthproblems. In Southamerica these are often the trigger for anaphylactic shocks so there are not suitable for people with a allergy aginst insectstings.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: semiclaustral
colonysize: a few 100 individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
I'
- Neoponera obscuricornis - Pachycondyla obscuricornis :
Latin Name:Neoponera obscuricornis
Synonym: Pachycondyla obscuricornis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Ecuador to Paraguay
Habitat:tropical rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne, reproductive worker produce males
Queen:Size: 11 - 14mm Colour: black, antennae tips reddish brown to brown, bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 10 - 11mm Colour: black, antennae tips reddish brown to brown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutritionliving insects like fruit flies,spring tails, mealworm and sugar-, or honeywater. They have no socialstomach so honeywater or sugarsolution should be more fluent.
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 25 - 30°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in and under rotten wood, also in soil
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:Pachycondyla obscuricornis is small Pachycondyla of the Pachycondyla apicalis specie complex. Many aspects of there biology are still unknown as they are often confused with Pachycondyla veranae.
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
- Acromyrmex spec. from Brazil :
Latin Name:Acromymrex spec.
Trivialname:
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Attini
Keeping Level:(3) through their large Space- and Foodrequirements as well as their climateconditions only for experienced antkeepers
Distribution:Southamerica
Habitat:rainforest, savanna
Colonyform:unknown
Queen:Size: ca. 10-12mm Colour: brown
Worker:Size: ?mm Colour:
Soldier:not present
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 - 60% Nestpart: 80 - 90% Garbagechamber: 30 - 40%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:soil nest with many chambers but not as big as Atta's
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 spec. is an indeterminated leafcutter ant species from Brazil, in the wild they cut both flowering plants and grass. Unlike Atta they perform long tracks to cuttingplaces and need the longer ways to develop optimally
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 probably achieve an age of 8 to 15 years.
colonysize: unknown
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Camponotus cf. iheringi :
Latin Name:Camponotus cf. iheringi
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escape prevention
Distribution:Brazil,
Habitate:rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: ca. 18mm Colour: darkbrown
Worker:Size: ? Colour:
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos, small crickets
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:none
Nestform:nest in soil often under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Center, Farm-Arena, Combi, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: sand-loam, ground rainforest Arena: sand-loam/humus
Planting:rainforest like
Decoration:Roots, Stones, Moss, Twigs
Description:
Development:matingflight:
founding: claustral
colonysize: ?
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Acromyrmex spec.
- Camponotus cf. socius :
Latin Name:Camponotus cf. socius
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(2) shows higher requirements to climate
Distribution:Brazil, Central America
Habitat:rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 15-16mm Colour: red head and thorax, darkbrown gaster
Worker:Size: Minor: 7,5-10,5 mm, Major: 11-13mm Colour:
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 9mm Colour: chestnut
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:Nest in soil under stones,
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm-Arena, -Center, -Combi, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam-Humus, rainforest ground Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam,Humus
Planting:
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves,
Description:This species especially captivates by its bright red colouration of its head and thorax whereas the gaster transitions to darkbrown. Its darker eyes can be recognized easily due to its red ground colour.
Development:matingflight:
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize:
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Camponotus socius queen with brood.
- Odontomachus brunneus (trap-jaw) :
Latin Name:Odontomachus brunneus
Trivialname:Trapjaw ants
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Brazil, Central America, Southern US
Habitat:rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: ca.10 mm Colour: black
Worker:Size: Colour:
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-arena, -Center, -Combi, 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:They use their mandibles as a trap for small insects thats why they've got the name trapjaw ants. It's one of the fastest movements in the animal world
Development:matingflight:
founding: semiclaustral (with feeding)
colonysize:
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Trap-jaw ant, Odontomachus brunneus
Odontomachus cf. bauri (trap-jaw) :
Latin Name:Odontomachus cf. bauri
Trivialname:Trapjaw ants
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Central- and South America
Habitat:tropical rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 12 mm Colour: black, reddish extremities
Worker:Size: Colour:
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-arena, -Center, -Combi, 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: 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:
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Odontomachus bauri - Formiga-de-estalo - Trap Jaw Ant (Ponerinae)
- Myrmecocystus navajo (Honeypot ants) :
Latin Name:Myrmecocystus navajo
Trivialname:Honeypot ants
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Lasiini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:South United States, Mexico
Habitat:varity of xerothermic habitats from woodland, savanna to scrubland
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 8 - 9mm Colour: yellow to reddish yellow, bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 3 - 4mm Colour: head and Throax yellow to reddish yellow
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4mm Colour: blackish brown
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Flies or Mosquitos or small crickets
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 40°C Nestpart: 31 - 35°C
Hibernation:yes
Nestform:Nest in sandy soil with the entrance surrounded by a low mound of soil
Kind of Formicaria:
farm-arena, center, combi, ytong, gypsum
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to meadow and savanna
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves,
Description:This beautiful ants are known for there honeypots. Special worker which are used as foodstorage. They are very active and aggressive but show espacialy in the beginning a slow colony development. Smaller colonies are mostly noctual foraging.
Development:matingflight:
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: more than 1000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Myrmecocystus navajo queen just won't budge
- Myrmecocystus mendax (Honeypot ants) :
Latin Name:Myrmecocystus mendax
Trivialname:Honeypot ants
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Lasiini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Southwestern United States, Mexico
Habitat:varity of xerothermic habitats from woodland, savanna to grass- and scrubland
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 9 - 10mm Colour: head and Throax yellowish red, Gaster black, bulky thorax
Worker:minor - size 4 - 5,5mm Colour: head and Throax reddish brown to reddish yellow, Gaster black
major - size 6 - 7mm Colour: head and Throax reddish brown to reddish yellow, Gaster black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 5 - 6mm Colour: blackish brown
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Flies or Mosquitos or small crickets
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 40°C Nestpart: 28 - 35°C
Hibernation:yes
Nestform:Nest in stony, clay soil beneath stones, often on hill slopes
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 meadow and savanna
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves,
Description:This beautiful ants are known for there honeypots. Special worker which are used as foodstorage. They are very active and aggressive but show espacialy in the beginning a slow colony development.
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
Myrmecocystus navajo queen just won't budge
- Myrmecocystus depilis (Honeypot ants) :
Latin Name:Myrmecocystus depilis
Trivialname:Honeypot ants
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Lasiini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Southwestern United States, Mexico
Habitat:varity of xerothermic habitats from woodland, savanna to grassland
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 8 - 9mm Colour: head and Throax medium to dark brownish
Worker:Size: 3 - 6mm Colour: head and Throax reddish brown to reddish yellow, Gaster medium brown to blackish brown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4mm Colour: blackish brown
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Flies or Mosquitos or small crickets
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 40°C Nestpart: 28 - 35°C
Hibernation:yes
Nestform:Nest in soil under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farm-Arena, Combi, gypsum, ytong
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to meadow and savanna
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves,
Description:This beautiful ants are known for there honeypots. Special workers which are used as foodstorage. They are very active and aggressive but espacially in the beginning they a slow colony development.
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
Honeypot Ant Queen With First Workers (Myrmecocystus navajo 9-3-15)
- Pogonomyrmex californicus (California harvester ant) :
Latin Name:Pogonomyrmex californicus
Trivialname:californica harvester ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Myrmicini
Keeping Level:(2) can sting painful and cause in some cases allergic reactions
Distribution:United States, Nothern Mexico
Habitate:desert and semidesert
Colonyform:monogyn, polygyn
Queen:Size: 9 - 12mm Colour: reddish-brown to yellowish-red
Worker:Size: 5,5 - 8,7mm Colour: reddish-brown to yellowish-red
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:Mainly seeds e.g. millet, amaranthus, suncup, gras and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 22 - 28°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes like mediterranean antspecies for 2 -3 month at 15 - 18°C (unheated room)
Nestform:Build their nest in sandy soil which can reach down to 2m and have a small mount with 10cm height
Kind of Formicaria:
farm-arena, center, combi, ytong, gypsum
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, Humus Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam,
Planting: -
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:desert-dwelling, rapidly moving species of north- and middle america. They store seeds in up to 2m deep stores, making ant-bread out of it, such as species of Messor. This is why they're so-called harvesting ants. In nature they're building huge subterraneously nests and tunnels. To be able to grind up hard seeds they have a brawny head with strong mandibles.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral
colonysize: -
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Pogonomyrmex californicus aka Red Harvester Ant (alates) mating flight
- Atta cf. laevigata :
Latin Name:Atta laevigata
Trivialname:Leafcutterant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Attini
Keeping Level:(3) through their large Space- and Foodrequirements as well as their climateconditions only for experienced antkeepers
Distribution:Southamerica
Habitat:tropical Rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 32mm Colour: redbrown black
Worker:Size: 4 - 16mm Colour: reddishbrown, polymorph
Soldier:18 - 23mm
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrition:fungi which the ants cultivate of plantleaves and fruits.
possible Feedingplants: Blackberry, Raspberry, Roses, Boxtree, Elder, Lime- Tree, Oakleaves, Chestnut, Virginia Creeper, also Appels, Oranges, Bananas, Grapes only without any other food oat flakes.
It`s recommended to moisten the leaves before feeding.
Do not use staghorn sumac leaves because there leaves are toxic for the Fungus.
Airhumidity:Arena: 40 - 70% Nestpart: 70 - 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:Atta sexdens is one of the most abundant leaf cutter ants of South America and is commonly found in urbanareas. In agriculture, they are often considered pests because of their high demand sheet.
Development:matingflight: with the first summerrains
founding: claustral with a piece fungus from the mothercolony which is first fertilized with droppings of the Queen. A Queen can be up to 15 years old.
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
Atta cf. laevigata
Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ... 1 - 2 - 3
Asia : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
Europe : - Central Europe : 1 - 2 - 3